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AMERICAN 


Inter-Seminary 


MISSIONARY 


ALLIANCK 


ALEXANDRIA.  VA. 


October  27th,  28th,  29th  and  30th,   1887. 


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"^AMERICAN 

Inter-Seminary 


MISSIONARY 


ALLIANCE. 


ALEXANDRIA,  VA. 


October  27th,  28th,  29th  and  30th,   1887. 


CHICAGO,  ILL. 
KiTTREDGK  cK;  Friott,  PRINTERS,  74-/6  Market  Street. 

iSSS. 


I 


COMMITTEES.     1880      1888 


Executive  Committee,  iSSo-i. 

H.  C.  MiNTON,  Chainiian,  Western  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 

W.  J.  Hunter,  Crozer  Seminary  (Baptist). 

J.  D.  Martin,  Drew  Seminary  (Baptist). 

H.  D.  Page,  Alexandria  Seminary  (Protestant  Episcopal). 

i\.  T.  Knott,  Yale  Divintty  School  (Congregational). 

Correspondence  .a.nd  Pup.lic.\tion  CoNrMiTTEE,  iSSo-1. 

G.  S.  Webster.  Chairman,  Union  Seminary  (Presbyterian.) 

C.  L.  Cheney,  Baptist  Union  Seminary. 

C.  H.  Percival,  Andover  Seminary  (Congregational). 

L.  KUHLMAN,  Gettysburg  Seminary  (Lutheran  German  Synod). 

A.  Freeman,  Boston  University  (Methodist). 

Executive  Committee,  i3Si-2. 

C.  B.  Allen,  Jr.,  C/tain/ian,  Baptist  Union  Seminary. 
W.  A.  Service,  Auburn  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 
C-  M.  Stuart,  Garrett  Biblica>  Institute  (Methodist). 

C.  S.  Nash,  Hartford  Seminary   (Congregational). 

Geo.  S.  Bowers,  Geitysburg  Seminary  (Lutheran  German  Sxnod). 
H.  C.  MiXTON,  Ex-Officio,  Western  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 

Correspondence  and  Publication  CoiiMiTTEE,  iS3i-2. 

L.  L.  Taylor,  Chair/nan,  New  Brunswick  Seminary   (Reft)rme(l  Church 
in  America). 

W.  H.  BuTTRiCK,  Rochester  Seminary  (Baptist). 

v..  E.  Aiken,  Yale  Divinity  School  (Congregational.) 

B.  E.  S.  Ely,  Jr.,  North-Western  Seminary  (PresJjyterian). 

D.  D.  Spencer,  Drew  Seminary  (Methodist). 

G.  S.  Webster,  Ex-Officio,  Union  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 

Executive  Committee,  1882-3. 

C.  S.  Lane,  Chairman,  Hartford  Seminary  (Congregational). 
F.  A.  Potter,  Llamilton  Seminary  (Baptist). 

C.  A.  R.  Jauvier,  Princeton  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 

W.  S.  Hood,  Boston  University  (Methodist). 

F.  \\.  DuVernet,  Wyctifie  Seminary   (Protestant  Plpiscopal). 

C.  B.  Allen,  Jr.,  Ex-Officio,  Baptist  Lfnion  Seminary. 

Correspondence  and  Publication  Com.mittee,  1882-3. 

C  H.  Dickinson,  Chairman,  Yale  Divinity  School  (Congregational). 
Sidney  Strong,  Oberlin  Seminary  (Congregational). 
^V.  W.  Smith,  Drew  Seminary  (Methodist). 


4  '  OM M ITTKLS —  I SSo- 1 SSS. — CONTINUED'. 

\V.  H.  Faunce,  Newton  Seminary  (Baptist). 
J.  C.  Smith,  Knox  Seminary   (Canada  Presbyterian). 

L.  L.  Taylor,  Ex-Officio,  New  Brunswick  Seminary    (RefonneJ  Church 
in  America). 

Executive  Committee,  1883-4. 

Richard  Harlan,  Chairman,  Princeton  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 
[.  McG.  Foster,  Andover  Seminary  (Congregational). 

F.  N.  JeWETT,  Rochester  Seminary  (Baptist). 

R.  A.  George,  Allegheney  Seminary  (United  Presl:)yterian). 

Julian  Wadsworth,  Drew  Seminary  (Methodist). 

C.  S.  Lane,  Ex-Officio,  Hartford  Seminary  (Congregational). 

Correspondence  and  Publication  Committee,  18S3-4. 

PI.  DuB.  MULFORD,    Chairman,    New    Brunswick   Seminary    (Reformed 
Church  in  America). 

W.  H.  Cline,  Toronto  Seminary  (Baptist). 

A.  C.  McGlFFERT,  Union  Seminary,  New  York  (Presbyterian). 

C.  R.  Ferner,    Lancaster  Seminary     (Reformed  ChErch  in  the   United 
States). 

D.  G.  DuBois,  Ciarrett  BibUcal  Institute   (Methodist). 

C.  H.  Dickinson,  Ex-Officio,  Eale  Divinity  School  (Congregational). 

Executive  Committee.  1884-5. 

B.  L.  Herr,  Chairman,  Rochester  Seminary  (Baptist). 
P'.  I.  BoswoRTH,  Oberlin  Seminary  (Congregational). 
W.  L.  NOTESTEIN,  Western  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 

R.  \V.  Miller,   Lancaster  Seminary   (Reformed  Church   in   the   United 
States). 

C.  T.  McDaniel,  Gettysburg  Seminary   (Lutheran  German  Synod). 
Richard  Harlan,  Ex-Officio,  Princeton  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 

Correspondence  and  Publication  Com>!ittee,  1S84-5. 

G.  K.  Eraser,  Chairman,  Auburn  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 

R.  A.  Castleman,  Alexandria  Seminary  (Protestant  Episcopal). 
Geo.  H.  Gamble,  Baptist  Union  Seminary. 
G.  R.  Hewitt,  Plartford  Seminary  (Congregational). 
W.  N.  Brewster,  Boston  University  (Methodist). 

H.  DuB.  Mulford,    Ex-Officio,    New   Brunswick   Seminary    (Reformed 
Church  in  America). 

Executive  Committee,  18S5-6. 

C.  A.  Clark,  Chairman,  Oberlin  Seminary  (Congregational). 

E.  C.  Dayton,  Lane  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 

Chas.  Horswell,  Garrett  Biblical  Institute  (Methodist). 
W.  L.  Swan,  Hamilton  Seminary  (Tiaptist).. 


COMMITTKKS — l83o-lS3S. — C  )NTINUE1).  5 

R.  P.  Miller,  Union  Biblical  Seminary  (United  Brethren). 

B.  L.  Herr,  Ex-Officio,  Rochester  Seminary  (liaptist). 

CORRESPONDKN'CE  AM)   I'llUJCATION  CoMMIT  TKE,    1885-6. 

J.  W.  Harsha,  Cliairman,  Alley;heny  Seminary  (United  I'reshytesian). 
J.  A.  Eakix,  Western  Seminar)-   ( I'resbyterian). 

S.  U.  MiTMAX,    Lancaster   Seminary    I  Reformed  Church    in   the    United 
States). 

G.  G.  Smeade,  Alexandria  Seminary    (Protestant  Episcopalj. 
W.  E.  Hull,  Hartwick  Seminary  (Evangelical  Lutheran). 
G.  K.  Eraser,  Ex-Officio,  Auburn  Seminary    (^I'resbyterian). 

'Executive  Ciimmitiee,   1886-7. 

J.  P.  Tyler,  C/min/ian,  Alexandria  Seminary    (  Prote>ta\it  Episcopal). 

G.  W.  Quick,  Crozer  Seminary  (Baptist). 

L.  H.  TH.A.YER,  Yale  Divinity  School  (Congregational). 

Chas.  Wyche,  Vanderbilt  University  (Methodist  Episcopal,  South). 

A.  H.  Evans,  Union  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 

C.  A.  CL.A.RK:,  Ex-Officio,  (;)berlin  Seminary  (Congregational). 

CoRRESPOXDEXCE  AXI)  PlBLICATIOX  CoM.VIITTEE,   1886-7. 

V.  F.  Partch,  Chaiitnan,  McCormick  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 

G.  B.  Hopkins,  Bates  Seminary  (Free  Baptist). 

J.  S.  Cr.awford,  Xenia  Seminary  (United  Presbyterian). 

PL  G.  BUEHLER,  Gettysburg  Seminary  (Lutheran  German  Synod). 

Edward  Saunier,  Hamilton  Seminary  (Baptist). 

J.  W.  Harsha,  Ex-Officio,  Allegheny  Seminary  (United  Presbyterian). 

Executive  Committee,   1887-8. 

W.  A.  Mansell,  Chairman,  Boston  University   (Methodist). 

C.  C.  TORREY',  Andover  Seminary  (Congregational). 

H.  H.  Bell,  Allegheny  seminary  (United  Presbyterian). 

B.  L.  Whitman,  Newton  Seminary  (Baptist). 

Amos  A.  Parr,  Gettysburg  Seminary  (Lutheran  German  Synod). 

J.  P.  Tyler,  Ex-Officio.  Alexandria  Seminary   (Protestant  Episcopal). 

Correspondence  and  Publication  Committee,  1887-8. 

C.  N.  Ransom,  Chairman,  Chicago  Seminary  (Congregational). 
\V.  S.  B.VTES,  Cumberland  University  (Cumberland  Presbvterian). 
Geo.  Walbert,  Lancaster  Seminary    (Reformed    Church    in    the    United 

States). 

R.  A.  Smith,  Baptist  Union  Seminary. 

W.  H.  Lindemuth,   Drew  Seminary  (Methodist). 

V.  F.  Partch,  Ex-Officio,   McCormick  Seminary  (Presbyterian). 


Journal    of    Proceedings 

OF  THE 

EIGHTH  ANNUAL  CONVENTION 

OF  TITF 

/irr)CPicar)    lr)tcF=C'crr)ir)eiry   L  iissicrjary 

ALLIANCK. 

ALEXANDRIA,  -  VIRGINIA. 


FIRST  DAY 
Thursday,  October  27, 1887. 

Morning  Session. 

Pursuant  to  the  call  of  the  Executive  Commiltee,  the  delegates  gatheieiJ 
in  Christs  Church  (Episcopal),  Alexandria,  \'a.,  at  ii  o'clock  for  an  infor- 
mal reception  and  appointments  of  Committees. 

The  following  committees  were  reported  by  the  Executive  Committee- 
through  its  chairman,  Mr.  J.  P.  Tyler  of  Theological  Seminary  of  Virginia: 

Secretaries: — J.  jSI.  Leonard  of  McCormick  Seminary,  Cliicago;  W.  V, 
Higgins  of  Rochester  Seminary,  X.  V;  Geo.  P.  Pierson  oi  Princeton  Semi- 
nary,   N.  J. 

Enrollment  Coiiuitittee: — J.  II.  Lacy  of  Hampden  Sidney;  J.  L.  KiJbon 
of  Plartford. 

Nominating  Committee: — A.  II.  Ballard,  Morgan  Park,  HI.;  E.  B.  Stiles, 
Andover,  ^lass.;  J.  L.  Plillman,  Boston  University,  Mass.;  S.  E.  Yoimg, 
Princeton,  N.  J;    B.  F.  Moody,  Lebanon,  Tenn. 

Afternoon  Session. 

At  3  o'clock  the  Association  met  for  a  half  hour  devotional  meeting. 
This  was  led  ny  Mr.  Berry  Otto,  of  Rochester.  The  scripture  lesson  was 
the  Ps.  cxv. 


b  INTER-SEMINARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

After  the  devotional  meeting  Mr.  W.  S.  Nelson  of  Lane  Seminary  Cin- 
cinnati was  nominated  by  the  Executive  Committee  as  president  for  the 
afternoon.     The  nomination  was  sustained  by  the  Alliance. 

Then  followed  addresses  by  Rev.  Joseph  Packard,  D.D.,  Dean  of  the 
Theological  Seminary  of  Va.  and  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Cirammer,  D.D.,  of  Balti- 
more an  alumnus  of  the  same  Seminary  welcoming  the  Alliance  to  Alex- 
andria. 

The  following  telegram  was  received  and  read. 

Plains,  Va.,  October  27,  iSSj. 

To  the  Secretary  of  the  Inter-Seminary  Missionary  Alliance,  Christs 
Church,  Alexandria,  Va. 

The  Piedmont  Convocation  of  the  P.  E.  Church  in  session  at  The  Plains, 
Fauquier  Co.,  Va.,  after  special  prayer  for  God's  Blessing  on  your  deliber- 
ations, send  brotherly  greeting. 

Samuel  D.  Wallis,  Scx. 

On  motion  the  Executive  Committee  was  instructed  to  return  words  of 
greeting  to  the  above  Convocation. 

After  singing  a  verse,  Mr.  T.  F.  Villers,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.  (Bapt.) 
read  a  paper  upon  the  subject;  "The  relation  of  the  Congo  Free  State  to 
African  Missions."  After  its  reading,  the  subject  was  opened  for  general 
discussion.     Mr.  Kossup  of  Hamilton  presented  the  following  resolutions: 

IVhereas,  the  introduction  of  intoxicating  liquors  into  the  Congo  Free 
State  by  the  Christian  nations,  is  destructive  both  of  soul  and  body  and  is 
a  potent  factor  against  the  dissemination  of  Christian  truth  and  the  progress 
of  Christian  missions. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  representatives  of  the  several  seminaries  compos- 
ing the  Inter-Seminary  Missionary  Alliance  do  enter  our  solemn  and  unani- 
mous protest  against  the  custom,  and  do  beseech  those  who  are  engaged  in 
the  business,  in  the  name  of  Him  against  whom  it  is  a  sin,  and  for  the  sake 
of  those  whom  it  destroys,  to  desist  from  it:     Further 

Resolved,  That  we  protest  against  the  present  legal  protection  of  this  fata) 
traffic  and  against  all  future  legislation  in  its  favor. 

Mr.  Compton,  of  Drew  Seminary,  moved  the  adoption  of  these  resolutions 
and  Mr.  Stone  of  Rochester,  seconded.  The  motion  was  carried  unani- 
mously. 

Mr.  Sharp,  of  McCormick  Seminary,  opened  the  general  discussion  of  the 
topic.     He  was  followed  by  Scott,  of  Va.,  and  Stone  of  Rochester. 

On  motion  the  Alliance  adjourned  after  announcements,  and  singing,  "All 
hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name",  to  meet  in  the  evening  at  7:30  o'clock. 

Evening  Session. 

The  Alliance  re-assembled  at  7:30  r.  M.  and  opened  with  music  by  the 
choir  of  Alexandria  and  a  hymn  by  the  congregation.  Scripture  lesson 
having  been  read  and  prayer  offered,  the  Alliance  listened  to  an  address  by 
the  Rev.  Frank  M.  Ellis.  D.  D.  of  Baltimore.  He  spoke  on,  "The  Cireat 
Commission." 


« 

.lOTRNAL   OF    PROCEEDINGS.  9 

This  was  followed  by  announcements  by  the  chairman  of  the  Executive 
Committee.  It  was  recommended  by  the  committee  that  owing  to  the  fail- 
ure of  Mr.  Gorby  of  Union  Biblical  Seminary  to  be  present,  to  present  his 
paper  tomorrow  afternoon,  that  the  Alliance  accept  an  invitation  to  visit  the 
Seminary  of  \'a.  The  recommendation  was  heartily  and  thankfully  adopt- 
ed. 

The  Alliance  then  adjourned  ro  meet  to-morrow  morning  at  (j  o'clock. 


SECOND  DAY. 
Friday,  October  28, 1887. 

Morning  Session. 

g  A.  M.  Devotional  meeting  for  an  hour,  led  by  Mr.  Reid,  Rochester. 

Special  prayer  was  offered  for  one  of  the  delegates  who  was  taken  sick 
after  his  arrival  in  Alexandria.  Special  prayer  was  also  offered  for  two 
absent  members  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

iMorning  Session  of  the  Alliance  began  at  lo  A.  M. 

W.  J.  Reid,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  was  elected  chairman  of  the  Alliance  for 
the  day.    Meeting  opened  with  prayer. 

Mr.  Gauss  reported  that  the  Executive  Committee  had  made  arrangements 
whereby  the  delegates  could  be  taken  out  to  the  Seminary. 

Voted,  that  we  adjourn  at  i  o'clock  sharp,  so  that  the  delegates  may  have 
an  opportunity  to  visit  the  Seminary. 

The  following  Committee  on  resolutions  was  appointed:  H.  H.  Russell, 
Oberlin,  Ohio;  Mr.  Graham,  Union,  Va.;  Mr.  Snell,  Newton,  Mass;  Mr. 
Golden,  Union,  N.  Y,;  Mr.  Coover,  Gettysburg,  Penn. 

A  paper  was  then  given  by  E.  R.  Chadwick,  Bates  Seminary,  Lewiston, 
Me.     His  subject  "Mission  work  among  the  Indians."  ■ 

As  Mr.  Chadwick  exceeded  his  half-hour  the  chairman  called  him  to  order. 
It  was  then  voted  that  Mr,  Chadwick  be  permitted  to  finish  his  paper. 
At  the  close  of  this  paper  15  minutes  was  given  for  discussion.  Remarks 
were  made  by  the  following:  Mr.  Clark,  Alexandria;  Mr.  Rodgers,  Auburn; 
Mr.  Adams,  Princeton;  Mr.  Reid,  Rochester,  and  others. 

Moved  by  Mr.  Adams  that  we  draft  resolutions  protesting  against  Com. 
Atkinson's  orders  relating  to  the  Indians. 

Voted,  thai  this  matter  be  referred  to  the  Committee  on  resolutions. 

Voted,  that  there  be  no  applause  made  in  the  church  during  the  meetings 
of  the  Alliance. 

Then  followed  three-minute  reports  of  the  difterent  seminaries,  and  colleges 
represented  in  the  Alliance.  In  these  reports  the  speakers  confined  them- 
selves chiefly  to  three  points:     ist  the  number    of  delegates    in   attendance; 


lO  lNThR-SEMi:sA*lV    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCK. 

2ncl  mctliods  adopted  for  increasing  missionary  knowledge  and  interest; 
3rd  the  result  of  such  methods. 

Mr.  Tyler  reported  that  6  seminaries  had  asked  to  have  the  Alliance  meet 
next  year  with  them.  After  due  consideration  the  Executive  Committee 
had  decided  to  recommend  the  name  of  the  Boston  University  as  the  most 
suitable  place  to  hold  the  Alliance  next  year.  As  there  were  four  semin- 
aries in  Chicago  whiclr  invited  the  Alliance  to  that  city,  considerable 
discussion  followed  the  report  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

Voted,  That  the  chairman  of  each  delegation  cast  a  vote,  either  sustaining 
or  rejecting  the  recommendation  of  the  committee.  The  result  of  this  vote 
was  as  follows:     In  favor  of  Recommendation  25,  against  S. 

Voted,  That  the  Alliance  make  the  vote  in  favor  of  Boston  as  the  place 
of  meeting  for  next  year  unanimous. 

Adjourned  ■with  prayer. 


Afternoon  Sf.ssion. 

Tlie  regular  exercises  of  the  afternoon  were  omitted  owing  to  the  absence 
of  the  chief  speaker.  Instead  of  its  regular  exercises  the  members  of  the 
Alliance  were  taken  by  conveyance  to  the  Theological  Seminary.  They 
were  cordially  received  by  the  students  of  the  Seminary.  After  viewing  the 
buildings  and  as  much  of  the  surrounding  country  as  the  mist  would 
permit,  Alliance  repaired  to  the  beautiful  chapel  of  the  Seminary  and  were 
received  by  Prof.  Kinlock  Nelson  on  behalf  of  the  faculty,  and  i\Ir.  Kinrol- 
ing  for  the  students. 

A  brief  service  was  then  held  and  after  a  lunch  was  served  in  the  tlining- 
room  and  a  few  more  pleasant  moments  on  the  Seminary  grounds,  Alliance 
returned  to  the  city  with  the  highest  appreciation  of  the  kindness  of  the 
students  of  Alexandria  Seminary. 

Evening  Session. 


The  choir  gave  some  excellent  music  \\'hile  the  audience  were  being 
seated. 

The  evening  session  was  opened  by  singing,  "AH  hail  the  power  of  Jesus 
Name." 

Reading  of  Scripture  from  Is.  55,  and  prayer  then  followed.  A  short 
address  was  then  given  by  Dr.  Chamberlain  of  Brazil,  on  "the  Protestant 
Missionary  efforts  among  the  Roman  Catholics. 

The  main  address  of  the  evening  was  then   given    by  Rev.  A.  T.  Pierson. 

Adjourned  with  prayer. 


JOURNAL    OK    I'KOCEEDINCS.  II 

THIRD  DAY, 

Saturday,  October  29,  1887. 

Morning  Session. 

6:30  A.  M.  Consecration  meeting. 

9:00  A.  M.  Devotional  exercises  conducted  by    Mr.  Snyder   of  Gettysburg. 

9:30  A.  M.  Mr.  Moyer,  Lancaster  was  elected  to  the  chair.  Regular 
services  suspended  for  6  minutes  to  hear  remaining  reports  from  Seminaries. 
j\Ir.  Watson,  reported  for  \'anderbilt  Seminary,  and  Mr.  Lacy  for  Hamp- 
den Seminary. 

io:oo  A.  M.  Paper  on  "What  headway  is  Christianity  making  against 
Mohammedanism?"  was  given  by  Mr.  Benson  Sewall  of  Bangor  Seminary. 
A  discussion  followed  in  which  part  was  taken  by  Messrs.  Stone  of  Rochester, 
Desjardins  of  Boston,  Sewall  of  Bangor,  Noll  of  Lancaster,  and  Evans  of 
Crozer. 

Committee  on  resolutions  was  instructed  to  draw  up  resolutions  in  reference 
to  the  several  seminaries  of  the  Alliance  sending  out  special  missionaries  to 
be  supported  by  their  own  seminaries. 

ii:oo  A.  M.  Missionary  addresses  from  Messrs.  Basmajain,  of  Armenia, 
Garabed,  of  New  Brunswick,  and  Aiken,  of  Siam.  By  indulgence  of 
Alliance  Mr.  Garabed  was  allowed  a  second  speech. 

11:30  A.  M.  A  paper  was  read  by  Mr.  Robt.  L  Flemming  of  Garrett 
Biblical  Institute  on  "The  Work  of  the  Home  Ministry  for  Foreign  Missions." 
Discussed  by  Messrs.  Doggett,  of  Oberlin,  Grey,  of  Chicago,  Rodgers,  of 
Auburn,  Garabed.  of  New  Brunswick,  Wallace,  of  Union,  Tuffts,  of  Princeton, 
Desjardins,  of  Boston,  Williamson,  of  Crozer,  Wilder,  of  Unoin,  Sharp,  of 
McCormick,  Scott,  of  Union,  Va.,  Killey,  of  Princeton,  Melrose,  of  McCor- 
mick,  Vance,  of  Union,  Va. 

Following  the  discussion,  a  devotional  meeting  conducted  by  Mr.  Wilder, 
of  Union,  was  held. 

Meeting  adjourned  at  i  P.  M. 

Afternoon  Session. 

3:00  p.  M.  Devotional  meeting  for  half  an  hour,  led  by  Mr.  L.  I^eitch,  of 
Vanderbilt  University. 

Mr.  Russell,  of  Oberlin  elected  to  the  chair. 

Mr.  D.  A.  Murray  of  Princeton,  read  a  paper  on  "The  Urgency  of  the  call 
to  Foreign  jNIissions."  In  the  discussion  that  followed,  the  following  gentle- 
men took  part:  Messrs.  Nelson,  of  Lane,  Wilson  of  McCormick,  Basmajain, 
of  Crozer,  Wilder  of  Union,  Garabed  of  New  Brunswick,  Aiken  ol 
Western  Seminary,  Allegheny,  Thayer,  of  Vale,  and  Hoskins,  of  Union. 
Moved  that  Mr.  Wilder  at  this  point  in  the  exercises,  be  allowed  20  minutes 
to  address  the  Alliance.  Amended  that  business  be  disposed  of  first. 
Carried  as  amended. 


12  inter-seminary  missionarv  alliance. 

Under  Regular  Business: 

Minutes  read,  corrected  and  approved. 

Executive  Committee  offered  following  report  (see  Report  .1)     Adopted. 

Correspondence  and  publication  oftered  following  report  (see  Report  ii). 
Adopted. 

Committee  on  resolutions  offered  following  report.  The  several  resolutions 
were  adopted  in  order,  except  that  resolution  protesting  to  Congress  against 
Atkinson's  Indian  Bill.    Recommitted,     (See  Report  iii). 

Treasurers  Report  corrected  and  accepted.     (See  Report  iv). 

Committee  on  nominations  reported  as  follows: 

Executive  Committee:  Boston,  W.  A.  Mansell;  Andover.  C.  C.  Torrey; 
Allegheny,  U.  P.,  H.  H.  Bell;  Newton,  B.  L.  Whitman;  Gettysberg,  Amos 
A.  Parr. 

Correspondence  and  Publication  Committee:  Chicago  Theological,  C.  N. 
Ransom;  Lebanon,  \V.  S.  Bates;  Lancaster,  Geo.  Walbert;  Baptist  Union, 
K.  A.  Smith;  Drew,  W.   H.   Lindemuth. 

Ordered  that  secretaries  of  this  Alliance  notify  members  of  committees  ap- 
pointed for  ensuing  year  of  their  appointment.  Also  that  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  future  secretaries  to  notify  such  committees  without  special  instructions. 

Moved  and  carried  that  Committee  on  Correspondence  and  Publication  in 
report  of  present  Convention,  publish  a  history  of  the  Inter-Seminary 
Missionary  Alliance,  as  ordered  at  last  years  convention. 

At  the  conclusion  of  business  meeting,  Mr.  Wilder  gave  a  brief  missionary 
address,  after  which  he  answered  questions  presented  by  various  members 
■of  the  Alliance. 

Enrollment  Committee  reported.     Report  accepted.  (See  last  page). 

Meeting  closed  with  prayer  about  6  P.  M. 

Evening  Session, 

After  opening  exercises  similar  to  those  of  preceding  evenings,  Dr.  Griffis, 
•of  Boston,  delivered  an  address  on  "God'y  Jealousy." 

Mr.  Wilder  followed  with  an  address.  After  which,  amidst  impressive 
silence  and  the  subdued  singing  of  a  hymn  of  consecration  there  were  passed 
around  papers  containing  the  following  pledge,  "We  are  willing  and  desirous, 
God  permitting,  to  be  foreign  missionaries." 

Sixty-four  names  were  signed.  This  however,  included  some  that  had 
signed  before.     Meeting  closed  as  usual. 

After  adjournment  of  meeting,  a  telegram  w  as  received  from  President 
Cleveland  inviting  the  Alliance  to  a  reception  at  the  White  House  at  1:30 
J".  M.,   Monday,  October  31. 


lOrRN'AI.    OK    I'KnCKKDINGS.  13-. 

FOURTH  DAY. 
Sunday,  October  30, 1887. 

At  9:30  A.  M.  the  Alliance  met  for  a  consecration  meeting. 
At  3:30  r.  M.  we  were  favored  by  an  address  from    Rev.  1\.  A.   Goodwin 
on  the  subject,  "The  best  mode  of  evangelizing  the  negro." 

At  7:30  the  Alliance  held  its  closing  meeting.  Addresses  were  made  by 
Messrs.  Wilder,  of  Union,  Bulbulian,  of  Union,  Basmajain,  of  Crozer, 
Wallace,  of  Union,  Garabed,  of  New  Brunswick,  Hoskins,  of  Union  and  Dr. 
Nelson,  of  Philadelphia. 

After  joining  hands  and  singing,  "Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds,"  the  Conven- 
tion adjourned  to  meet  next  year  at  Boston.  Signed, 

J.  M.  Leonard,  (McCormickSem.), 
W.  V.  HiGGiNS,  (Rochester  Sem.), 
Geo.  p.  Pierson,  (Princeton  Sem.), 

Secretqries^ 


14  IXTER-SEMI\ARV     MISSIONARY    ALLIAXCE. 


ADDRESSES. 


Address   1!V   Rev.   Joseph    Packard,   D.   D.    Dean  of  THEOLor;icAL 

Seminary  OF  Virginia. 
Mr.  Frcsidc'iit  and  Dear  BrctJisni  of  the  Alliance: 

The  pleasant  duty  has  been  assigned  me  of  welcoml'.ig  you,  in  the  name 
of  the  Faculty,  and  students  of  the  Seminary,  to  our  h2art3  and  homes.  I 
regret  the  absence  on  this  occasion  of  Bishop  Whittle,  who  has  expressed 
his  warm  interest  in  the  object  of  the  Alliance.  We  welcome  you  as  brethern, 
beloved  m  the  Lord,  bound  to  us  by  a  like  precious  faith,  and  by  that  love, 
which  is  the  bond  of  perfectness,  and  engaged  in  the  same  cause,  the  greatest 
which  can  occupy  the  mind  and  heart  of  man. 

I  regard  this  Alliance,  as  a  visible  manifestation  of  the  living  and  loving 
oneness  of  believers  in  Christ,  often  more  strikingly  displayed  where  there  are 
dift'erences  of  organization  and  usage  than  where  no  such  differences  exist. 
Such  a  practical  exhibition  of  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  in  the  bond  of  peace  is 
worth  more  than  all  the  resolutions  and  sermons  and  speeches  on  the  subject 
of  unity.  It  is  a  light  full  of  hope  for  the  cause  of  Christian  unity,  to  see 
so  many  young  men  preparing  for  the  ministry,  in  different  churches  assembled 
together,  for  no  worldly  object  of  gain  or  pleasure,  as  to  the  best  methods  of 
evangelizing  the  world,  lying  in  the  Wicked  One.  I  say,  Young  Men,  for  I 
have  the  same  estimate  of  youth,  that  the  Spartans  had,  when  Antipater 
demanded  of  them  fifty  young  men  as  hostages,  they  answered  they  would 
rather  give  twice  the  number  of  old  men.  We  cannot  expect  mucli  in  the 
way  of  concessions,  necessary  to  be  made  to  attain  this  object  of  unity,  on 
the  part  of  older  men.  While  the  elders  have  been  speaking  well  on  the 
subject  of  Christian  unity,  the  young  men  here  in  this  Alliance  are  showing 
by  actual  experiment  how  it  can  be  Ijrought  about.  While  you  consult  and 
pray  together,  your  hearts  are  drawn  to  one  another,  and  the  middle  wall  of 
partition  which  separates  you  falls  down  of  itself,  like  the  wall  of  Jerico. 
Such  a  meeting  as  this  cannot  but  exert  a  great  influence  in  promoting 
brotherly  love,  in  those  of  different  churches,  and  riclily  repays  all  the  time 
and  trouble  spent  upon  it. 

I  regard  it  again  as  ■a.  fulfillment  in  some  measure  of  the  Lord's  prayer, 
v.'hich  he  prayed  on  the  same  night  on  which  he  was  betrayed.  "Neither 
pray  I  for  these  alone,  but  for  them  also  that  shall  believe  on  me  through 
their  word  that  they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou  Father  art  in  me  and  I  in  thee, 
that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us,  that  the  world  may  believe  that  thou  hast 
sent  me."     So  the  unity  of  his  disciples  will  be  the  great  argument  for  the 


ADDRKSS    ol-    WKl.rOMK. 


15 


Divinity  of  his  jNIission,  and  will  force  conviction  upon  the  world  that  God 
has  sent  his  Son  to  be  its  Saviour.  Such  was  the  case  in  the  early  church. 
Nothing  attracted  the  heattien  so  much  as  the  brotherly  lov^  and  charity  of 
Christians,  and  never  will  the  word  of  God  have  free  course  and  be  glorified, 
until  the  world  says,  again,  as  of  old,  "See  how  these  Cliristians  love  one 
another,  they  are  ready  to  die  for  each  other." 

Again,  I  regard  this  Alliance,  as  the  dawn  of  a  brighter  day,  which  will 
bring  on  the  final  triumph  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  conversion  of  all  man- 
kind. The  shadow  upon  the  dial  will  not  go  back.  The  setting  sun  of  that 
day  will  shine  upon  a  converted  world.  A  converted  world!  Whose  heart 
does  not  leap  for  joy  at  the  distant  prospect  of  that  day,  which  will  come 
according  to  the  sure  word  of  prophecy,  that  when  the  fullness  of  the  heathen 
is  come  into  the  kingdom  of  God,  all  Israel  shall  be  saved.  Israel  first  in- 
vited to  the  supper,  and  who  would  not  come,  will  at  last  when  the  table  is 
furnished  with  Gentile  guests,  accept  the  invitation.  "They  shall  look  on 
Him,  whom  they  pierced,"  and  weep  bitterly  over  the  long  rejection  of  their 
own  Messiah;  Oh!  Glorious  day!  longed  and  wept  and  prayed  for  by 
millions  v/ho  died  in  faith,  without  seeing  it.  "Blessed  arc  the  eyes  that 
shall  see  it,  for  many  have  desired  to  see  it  and  have  not  been  able."  Then 
shall  he,  who  alone  is  worthy,  receive  the  crown  of  all  the  earth,  then  shall 
every  knee  bow  to  him  and  every  tongue  confess  him  to  be  Lord.  Then  shall 
"one  song  employ  all  nations,"  and  all  cry,  "Worthy  the  Lamb  for  he  was 
slain  for  us."  Then  shall  great  voices  be  heard  in  heaven,  saying,  "The 
kingdoms  of  this  world  have  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his 
Christ." 

You  may  be  interested  in  knowning  what  our  Seminary  has  done  in  the 
cause  of  Foreign  Missions.  We  have  not  done  what  we  could,  but  we  have 
done  something.  We  have  never  had  any  doubts,  as  to  the  condition  of  the 
heathen,  that  they  are  ready  to  perish  for  lack  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ, 
nor  of  our  duty  to  send  them  the  gospel.  Our  Seminary  has  not  been  want- 
ing in  examples  of  those  who  have  obeyed  the  Saviour's  precept, "Whosoever 
he  be  of  you  that  forsaketh  not  all  that  he  hath,  cannot  be  my  disciple,"  who 
have  not  counted  their  lives  dear  unto  themselves,  that  they  might  turn  the 
heathen  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God. 

"Thuv  followed  P;iul,  their  zeul  ;i  kindrei'  i!:i:;:^. 

Their  apostolic  charity  the  same. 
Like  him,  crossed  cheerfully  teniiiestuous  seas, 

Forsaking  country,  kindred,  friends  and  ease." 
We  have  sent  in  all,  but  forty-three  missionaries,  nineteen  to  Africa, 
eighteen  to  China,  and  six  to  Japan.  In  1S37,  just  fifty  years  ago,  four 
missionaries  left  the  Seminary  for  heathen  lands.  Three  of  them  Payne, 
Minor  and  Savage  for  Cape  Palmas  on  the  west  coast  of  Africa,  and  Boone 
for  China.  Bishop  Payne  bore  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day,  and  fainted 
not,  for  thirty-three  years,  a  longer  time  than  any  white  missionary,  either 
English  or  American  has  ever  lived  on  that  coast,  which  has  been  called  the 
white  man's  grave.     He  returned   in   his   old  age,  in   feeble  health    to  his 


l6  I.NTER-SKMINARV     MlfSlONAKV    ALLIANCE. 

native  state.  Tii  his  last  moments  he  remembered  the  dear  Seminary,  and 
requested  that  he  should  be  buried  in  the  cemetery  on  its  grounds.  His 
sepulchre  is  with  us  this  day,  and  upon  it  are  written  the  words,  which  tell 
the  story  of  his  life; 

"K're  since  by  faith  I  saw  the  stream, 

Thy  flowins^  wounds  supply. 
Redeeming'  love  has  been  my  theme, 
And  shall  be  till  I  die." 

Some  of  the  eighteen  missionaries  who  followed  him  returned  home  un- 
able to  bear  the  fever,  that  there  walks  in  darkness  and  wastes  at  noonday. 
Some  have  fallen  asleep  like  soldiers  on  the  battle  field.  In  the  little  grave- 
yard at  Cape  Palmas,  near  enough  to  the  ocean  to  hear  the  ceaseless  dashing 
of  its  waves,  have  been  laid  to  rest,  till  the  heavens  be  no  more,  five  of 
our  Alumni,  Minor,  Ilolcomb,  Robert  Smith,  Messenger  and  Golden  Hoff- 
man. Two  of  them  died  within  four  months  of  their  landing  in  Africa,  and 
another  survived  but  a  year.  They  were  the  called,  chosen  and  faithful.  I 
rejoice  at  this  opportunity  of  casting  withered  flowers  upon  their  graves,  far 
from  their  native  land.  I  believe  in  my  heart,  that  all  they  have  done  and 
suftered  for  that  dark  continent  has  not  lieen  lost;  nor  has  their  labor  been 
spent  in  vain.  Not  a  tear,  which  has  been  shed,  or  a  groan  which  has  been 
uttered,  or  a  prayer  oftered  up  for  Africa,  has  been  forgotten  before  God.  No 
death  has  there  occured,  which  has  not  been  precious  in  His  sight,  and 
made  the  soil  of  Africa  holy  ground.  Oh,  no!  They  will  all  come  up  in 
remembrance  before  God,  when  the  time  to  favor  her,  yea,  the  set  time  has 
come.  They  are  all  links  in  the  last  chain  of  His  providence  and  grace,  to- 
wards that  unhappy  land,  and  they  will  all  be  admired,  when  the  mystery  of 
God  is  finished.  The  life  of  Golden  Hoffman  was  published  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Fox,  of  Durham  Cathedral,  and  the  Londott  Christian  Observer,  said  of 
him,  "We  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  the  annals  of  missionary  excellence 
do  not  furnish  a  brighter  example    than  that  of  Golden  Hoflnian." 

Dishop  Boone  went  to  China  as  we  have  said  in  1837.  As  the  great  wall 
(if  China  had  not  then  been  broken  down,  and  no  Chinaman  could  become  a 
Christian,  under  joain  of  death,  he  turned  aside  to  Java,  where  he  spent  two 
years  in  learning  the  Chinese  language  so  as  to  be  ready  as  soon  as  the  ports 
were  opened.  He  labored  in  China  twenty-seven  years  and  there  died.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  enthusiasm,  and  of  rare  faculty  in  acquiring  the  Chinese 
language.  His  translations  from  the  Enghsh  into  Chinese  were  of  great 
value  to  the  missionaries,  who  followed  him  and  entered  into  his  labors 
How  should  I  omit  to  mention  the  Rev.  Robert  Nelson,  who  labored  faith- 
fully and  successfully  ?  in  China,  for  thirty  years,  and  died  within  a  year 
past  in  his  native  state?  The  Rev.  Henry  M.  Parker  was  put  to  death  by 
the  rebels,  in  the  Chinese  rebellion,  and  the  Rev.  Cleveland  Keith  perished 
in  the  "Golden  Gate,"  when  it  caught  on  fire  in  its  passage  from  San  Fran- 
cisco to  New  York. 

Our  Seminary  has  had  the  honor  and  privilege  of  sending  the  first  Protes- 
tant missionary  to  Japan.     The  Rev.  John  Liggins  had  been  a  missionary  in 


AUURliSS    OK    WELCOMK, 


17 


China  for  four  years  when  in  1S59,  visiting  Japan  for  his  health  he  found  to 
his  surprise,  that  a  treaty  had  been  signed  which  admitted  missionaries  to 
Japan.  Tlie  honor  of  i)aptizing  the  first  convert  in  1865  was  reserved  for  a 
missionary  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  church. 

I  will  not  occupy  more  of  your  time.  Let  us  pray  with  one  accord,  that 
He  who  has  promised  to  be  with  his  church  to  the  end  of  the  world,  may  be 
with  us  on  this  occassion,  that  some  beams  of  that  love  which  glows  and 
burns  in  heaven,  may  fill  our  hearts  with  love  to  Him,  to  each  other,  and  la 
the  souls  for  whom  He  died.  So  at  the  conclusion  of  this  convention  we 
may  all  say  ''It  was  good  for  us  to  be  here." — Aiulii. 


II. 
-A.DDR,E3SS  Oin  "WELiOOlVEE. 

I5y  Rev.  J.  E.  GRA>rMER,  D.D.,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Brellncn,  Beloved  in  the  Lord: 

We  read  that,  when  St.  Paul  met  the  brethren  at  Appii  Forum,  he  tliankwJ 
tlod  and  took  courage.  When  we  see  such  a  company  of  the  servants  of 
our  Lord,  Jesus  Christ,  and  consider  the  purpose  and  motive  whichaniraate 
your  hearts,  and  govern  your  lives,  we  may  well  thank  God  and  take  cour- 
age. 'Tis  a  cheering  sight  to  behold  an  assembly  of  Christian  men,  and 
especially  of  Christian  men  consecrating  their  youth  and  manhood  to  the 
great  work  of  spreading  the  Kingdom  of  our  common  Lord.  It  gives  us  cour- 
age to  see  so  many  enlisted  for  the  battle.and  to  know  that  they  come  from  all 
Churches  and  from  all  points  of  the  field,  and  stand  to-day  with  one  heart  and 
one  mouth  to  profess  "the  faith  once  delivered  unto  the  saints."  All  hail  tc 
the  delegates  of  this  convention.  We  greet  you  as  brethren  in  Christ,  as 
sons  of  one  Father.  We  welcome  you  to  this  city  where  Washington  wor- 
shipped in  yonder  pew,  the  God  of  our  Fathers  and  of  our  salvation;  and 
where  Robert  Lee,  a  man  of  like  courage  and  honest  convictions  worshipped: 
in  the  same  faith.  Both  were  men,  who  illustrated  the  power  of  brave  ancK 
conscientious  lives. — 

"How'eer  it  be,  seems  to  me, 

'Tis  only  noble  to  be  gfood; 
And  kind  hearts  are  more  than  coronets 

And  simple  faith  than  Norman  blood." 

We  welcome  you  to  Alexandria,  renowned  for  its  neighboring  Seminary  set 
up  not  for  the  study  of  heathen  philosophy  hke  that  of  old,  but  for  the  train- 
ing of  ministers  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Founded  as  it  was  by  Meade  and  nursed 
by  men  of  faith  and  holy  zeal,  it  has  sent  out  nearly  all  the  missionaries  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  Africa,  China  and  Japan.  Its  chief  officers  and  professors; 
its  students  and  these  ministers  and  servants  of  God  greet  you  in  the  name 
of  their  God  and  ours.     Vour  coming    is    a    cause    of  pride,  pleasure  edifi- 


l8  INTER-SEMINARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

cation.  So  difterent  from  the  assemblies  of  men,  met  simply  to  advance  the 
political,  financial,  or  literary  interests  of  a  community,  your  counsels  and 
supplications  will  be  united  for  the  extension  of  that  Kingdom,  which  is 
'ighteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

As  watchmen,  students,  bearers    of   the    Cross,  we    have    cause   to  ask- 

•  A^hat  of  the  night.?"  We  have  cause  to  expect  the  assurance,  "The  morn- 
ing cometh."  We  need  to  see  each  other  face  to  face,  and  strengthen  each 
other's  hearts  and  hands,  "to  the  end  that  we  may  be  established,  that  is, 
that  we  may  be  comforted  together  with  you  by  the  mutual  faith  both  of 
you  and  me." 

It  is  the  missionary  spirit,  which  will  save  our  theological  seminaries 
from  becoming  stagnant  and  sluggish  in  their  life;  and  rescue  us  from  a  selfish 
apathy  or  a  cold  orthodoxy.  The  best  corrective  of  a  mere  speculative  study  of 
theology  is  to  enter  upon  the  work  of  the  Lord.  The  best  protection  against 
thedangers  of  materialism,  and  of  a  superstitious  ecclesi'asticism  is  to  seek  the 
spread  of  the  gospel.  We  have  come  to  cultivate  that  sjiirit,  to  kindle  our  hearts 
anew  at  the  altar  of  our  God.  The  divine  author  of  our  religion  was  a 
missionary,  and  came  to  seek  and  to  srtve  the  lost.  The  angels  gladly 
heralded  his  advent  to  the  humble  shepherds.  The  subjects  of  his  mercy 
published  abroad  his  healing  and  saving  power.  The  woman  of  Samaria  in 
her  delight  and  wonder  brought  a  whole  city  to  learn  and  be  assured  that 
He  was  the  great  prophet.  The  Apostles,  after  they  had  received  the  Holy 
Ghost,  went  forth  on  their  world-wide  errand.  They  knew  that  the  middle 
wall  of  partition  was  broken  down,  and  that  it  was  not  only  to  the  lost  sheep 
of  the  House  of  Israel,  they  were  to  carry  the  message  of  life.  The  chief 
Apostle  of  our  Lord  who  was  more  abundant  than  they  all  through  the 
grace  given  unto  him,  went  far  hence  to  the  Gentiles.  He  longed  to 
preach  the  gospel  even  in  Rome,  and  it  was  there  that  Christianity  won  its 
proudest  conquests;  for  he  rejoiced  that  their  faith  was  spoken  of  throughout 
the  world.  What  a  marvellous  record  was  his!  What  a  glorious  example 
to  the  church!  What  a  sublime  triumph  of  his  faith  as  the  great  fojeign 
missionary  of  the  Cross!  He  heard  the  cry  from  the  man  in  Macedonia 
aiul  he  answered  it.  Philippi  was  the  scene  of  greater  triumphs  for  Christ 
than  for  Caesar.  There  was  laid  the  foundation  of  that  mighty  temple  of 
Christian  faith,  beneath  which  millions  have  found  shelter.  Surely  no 
•student  of  the  career  and  work  of  the  great  Apostle  can  fail  to  say  boldly, 
''This  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes."  He  was  a  wise 
Master  builder,  and  the  beginning  and  end  of  his  ministry  was  Jesus  Christ, 
aiwi  Him  Crucified.     From  the  blood  of  this  noble  missionary  martyr,  have 

sprung  a  host  of  armed  soldiers  of  the  cross.  Brethren,  if  the  gospel  was 
'i.he  power  of  God  in  St.  Paul's  clay,  it  is  none  the  less  saving  now.     It  is  the 

'^  ever  lasting  gospel,"  and  it  can  never  lose  its  life  and  savor  and  efficacy,  as 

long  as  it  is  the  ordained  means,  by  which  it  has  pleased  God  to  save  them 
ihat  believe.  If  in  Rome  and  Corinth  and  Ephesus  it  was  mighty  to  pull 
down  the  strongholds  of  sin  and  error,  it  is  no  less  mighty    to-day    in  the 

very  centers  of  infidelity  and  unbelief.     The  very  greatest  evidence  we  have 


ADDRESS    OF    WELCOME. 


19 


of  the  divine  origin  of  our  religion  is  llie  wonderful  conversion  it  lias 
wrought  in  men  and  people.  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  said  that  the  gates  of 
hell  should  not  prevail  against  it,  and  wherever  it  has  been  preached,  it  has 
been  to  overthrow  the  kingdom  of  darkness.  When  Robert  Morrison  was 
asked  by  a  sceptical  man  of  business  and  ship-owner,  as  he  was  about  to 
sail  for  Canton,  "Now.  Mr  Morrison,  do  you  really  expect  that  you  will 
make  an  impression  on  the  idolatry  of  the  Chines-e  Empire?"  he  replied, 
"No  sir,  but  I  expect  God  will."  This  is  the  secret  of  the  missionary's 
hope  and  power.  "It  is  not  by  might  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit."  And 
when  he  reached  Canton,  and  beheld  the  worldliness  and  idolatry,  he  asked, 
what  can  ever  be  done  with  these  ignorant,  shre\j-d  and  impious  people?" 
But  he  adds,  "What  were  our  fathers  in  Britain?"  China  may  seem  walled 
around  against  the  admission  of  the  Word  of  God,  but  we  have  good 
ground  to  believe  that  all  its  bulwarks  shall  fall  before  it,  as  Joshua  had  re- 
specting the  walls  of  Jericho.  Nor  need  I  remind  you  of  his  faith  and  work 
and  spirit;  for  the  life  of  every  true  missionary  of  the  cross  confirms  the 
same  assurance.  The  gift  of  God's  Spirit  is  greater  than  the  gift  of  miracles, 
and  the  success  of  missions  is  the  miracle  of  the  church.  'J'he  fulfilled 
prophecies  are  not  more  marvellous  than  the  fulfilled  promises.  The  union 
and  overthrow  of  empires  is  not  so  marked  an  indication  of  the  presence  and 
power  of  God,  as  the  conversion  of  millions,  and  the  establishment  of  a 
spiritual  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ.  We  have  a  great  deal  to  challenge  our 
prayerful  meditation.  The  condition  of  our  own  country  to-day  is  calling 
us  to  consider  the  perils  of  intemperance,  the  perils  of  false  faith,  the  perils 
of  an  overflowing  worldliness.  Surrounded  .by  a  mixed  multitude  of  every 
nation  and  creed,  with  men  from  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  what  can 
save  our  Sabbath,  our  Bible  and  our  Church,  but  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  ? 
The  cry  is  for  missionaries,  missionaries  of  the  cross,  men  baptized  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  \vho  shall  lift  up  their  voice  and  cry,  "Behold  the  Lamb  of 
God."  It  would  seem  as  if  the  nations  of  the  earth  were  sent  here  to  see 
the  power  of  Christianity,  as  possibly  no  where  else,  so  visibly  demonstrated 
upon  such  a  scale  and  in  such  a  brief  period.  And  as  it  is  the  religion  of 
the  Bible,  which  has  made  us  what  we  are  to-day,  so  the  greater  the  peril, 
the  greater  need  to  "preach  the  Word"  This  was  St.  Paul's  charge  to 
Timothy,  in  spite  of  insidious  philosophy,  falsely  so-called,  and  the  most 
threatening  forms  of  unbelief.  Every  form  of  Anarchy  and  social  disorder, 
every  giant  heresy  and  enemy,  the  Rationalism,  and  the  Mormonism,  the 
Romanism  and  the  Agnosticism  of  this  century  and  of  this  land  challenge  us 
to  be  more  instant  in  preaching  Jesus  Christ:  Jesus  Christ  the  wisdom  of 
God,  Jesus  Christ  the  power  of  God. 

All  these  suggestions  of  philanthropic  sympathy,  all  the  organizations  of 
charity,  and  all  the  rich  endowments  of  academical  learning  cannot  take  the 
place  of  preaching  Jesus  Christ.  It  was  that  which  converted  Asia  Minor 
and  Europe;  it  was  that  which  blessed  the  labors  of  Henry  Martyn  antl 
Wm.  Carey  and  Bp.  Heber  and  Wilson  and  Judson  in  India;  which 
crowned  the  lives  of  Patterson,  Williams  and  Selwyn,  and  Samuel  Marsden. 


20  INTKR-SEMINARY     MISSI3NARY    ALLIANCE. 

Said  that  heroic  missionary,  "Civinzatioii  is  not  necessary  before  Christi- 
anity. Have  both  together  if  you  will,  but  you  will  find  civilization  follow 
Christianity  more  easily  than  Christianity  follow  civilization."  And  if  the 
call  in  this  land  is  so  great,  what  shall  we  say  of  the  nations  in  gross  dark- 
ness. The  horrors  of  heathenism  are  appalling.  The  power  of  sin  and  of 
the  great  enemy  of  man  hi  blinding  his  eyes  to  the  truth,  should  startle  us 
from  our  apathy.  We  are  under  a  great  responsibility  for  our  trust,  and 
"wo  be  to  us  if  we  preach  not  the  gospel." 

'•Shall  we,  whose  souls  are  lighted 

With  wisdom  from  on  high 
Shall  we  to  men  benighted 
The  lamp  of  life  deny?" 
Our  Lord  pitied  the  multitudes  with  nothing  to  eat,  and  commanded  the 
Apostles  to  feed  them  as  he  created.  And  he  has  put  this  bread  of  life  into 
our  hands.  Yea,  it  is  an  awful  account  we  shall  have  to  give,  if  we  refuse 
to  obey  this  commission.  Said  the  devoted  Hoffman,  as  he  lay  dying  of 
African  fever,  as  his  last  message  to  the  church  in  America,  "Tell  them  by  the 
living  crucified  One,  hold  not  back  their  hands."  Said  Paul  to  Timothy,  "I 
charge  thee  therefore  l^efore  God  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  judge 
the  quick  and  tlie  dead,'  'preach  the  Word,  do  the  work  of  an  evangelist,  make 
full  proof  of  thy  ministry.'  "  No  where  have  God's  people  so  much  to  en- 
courage them  as  in  the  work  of  foreign  missions.  The  history  of  that  work 
is  as  thrilling  as  a  romance.  It  has  furnished  heroes  of  whom  the  world 
was  not  worthy.  "Henry  Martyn,"  said  Sir  Jas.  Stephen,  "is  the  one  heroic 
name  which  adorns  the  annals  of  the  English  Church  from  the  days  of 
Elizabeth  to  our  own."     As  Lord  Macaulay  said: 

"Relig'ion,  sorrowing  o'er  her  favorite  son. 
Points  to  the  glorious  tophies  which  he  won. 
Eternal  trophies,  not  with  slaughter  red, 
Xot  stained  with  tears  by  hopeless  captives  shed, 
But  trophies  of  the  cross." 
And  along  witli  his  are  the  names  of  Brainard  and   Schwartz  and  a  host  of 
others.     Their  spirits  are  with  us  to-day.    Their  works  follow  them.     The 
fields  where  they  scattered  the  gospel  seed  are  white  to  the  harvest.     Their 
converts  are  in  every  land.     Their  missions  in  India,  in  Ceylon,  in    Mada- 
gascar, in  Erromango,  in  Polynesia;  in  Africa  and  in  all  parts  of  the  world 
testify  that  their  labor  was  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.    Surely  we  have  every- 
thing  to  cheer  us.     A  wide  and  effectual  door  is  opened,  even  though  there 
be  many  adversaries.   The  gates  of  ancient    prejudices    are   rolling  back  on 
their  hinges,  crusted  with  the  rust  of  centuries. 

Commerce  is  binding  the  nations  in  closer  bonds,  and  in  our  midst  we  see 
the  youth  from  China  and  Japan  trained  in  our  schools  and  colleges  for  indus- 
trial pursuits  and  higher  ministries.  The  dark  continent  is  being  explored, 
and  the  Free  State  of  the  Congo  brought  into  contact  with  the  missions  of 
the  gospel.  Never  was  there  so  deep  an  interest  in  Missions,  and  especially 
Foreig.n  Missions  as  at  this  time.  The  Spirit  of  God  is  moving  in  the  midst 
of  our  young  men  in  the  course  of  their  academic   life,  to    consecrate    their 


AIJDRESS    OI''    WELCOME.  21 

learning  and  talents  tti  this  cause.  From  one  and  another  \vc  hear  the  (ques- 
tion, "Is  there  not  a  cause?"  Yes.  They  say  in  effect,  "We  do  not  well. 
This  day  is  a  day  of  good  tidings  and  we  hold  our  peace."  Thank  God  for 
what  our  eyes  see,  and  our  ears  hear.  Look  out  at  tlie  field  and  it  is 
already  white  to  the  harvest.  Judson  said,  "our  prospects  are  as  briglit  as 
the  promises  of  God."  The  same  Spirits  that  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  Mills 
and  Richards  and  Judson,  those  three  young  men,  who  led  the  way  to -that 
great  work  of  the  American  Board  is  working  in  our  churches.  INIay  we 
not  use  the  language  of  Judson  today  in  reference  to  that  early  movement, 
and  apply  it  to  this  assembly?  He  said,  "I  have  ever  thought  that  the 
providence  of  God  was  conspicuously  manifested  in  bringing  us  all  together 
from  different  and  distant  parts;  and  when  we  all  met  at  the  same  Sem- 
inary, and  came  to  a  mutual  understanding  on  the  ground  of  foreign  mis- 
sions and  missions  for  life,  the  subject  assumed  in  our  minds  such  an  over- 
whelming importance  and  awful  solemnity  as  bound  us  to  one  another  and 
to  our  purpose  more  firmly  than  ever.  How  evident  it  is  that  the  Spirit  of 
God  has  been  operating  in  different  places,  and  upon  different  individuals, 
preparing  a  way  for  those  movements  which  have  since  pervaded  the  Ameri- 
can churches." 

We  recognize  the  presence  and  guidance  of  that  Providence  to-day  in  this 
assembly.  What  a  glorious  pledge  is  such  a  convention  of  that  coming 
and  increasing  unity  of  God's  people,  in  which  it  shall  be  seen  that  Christ  is 
all  and  in  all.  ''Who  is  Paul  and  who  is  Apollos,  but  ministers  by  whom 
ye  believed,  as  the  Lord  gave  to  every  man?"  What  a  variety  and  yet 
what  unity,  what  harmony  and  yet  what  diversity,  what  difference  of  oper- 
ation and  of  administration,  but  all  these  worketh  that  one  and  the  same 
Spirit,  dividing  to  every  man  severally  as  he  will.  We  are  not  here  to  dis- 
cuss questions  beyond  the  circle  of  our  revealed  religion.  The  doctrine  of 
a  future  probation  is  unknown  to  our  Bible,  and  we  rejoice  that  "God  so 
loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  son  that  whosoever  be- 
lieveth  on  him  might  not  perish  but  have  everlasting  life." 

We  have  the  one  Charter  for  the  church,  the  one  line  of  duty,  the  one 
path  of  sacred  obligation  to  go  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature.  Surely  brethren,  the  great  leaders  in  the  missionary  cause 
rebuke  any  disposition  to  linger  or  debate.  Recall  those  names  to-day 
which  are  like  stars  in  the  clear  upper  sky.  Press  on.  Csesar  wept  at  the 
statue  of  Alexander  in  Spain,  to  think  that  he  had  done  so  little  compared 
with  the  conqueror  of  the  world.  Themistocles  could  not  sleep  because  of 
the  shield  of  Miltiades.  And  seeing  we  are  compassed  about  with  so 
great  a  cloud  of  witnesses  in  this  mighty  work  of  evangelizing  the  nations, 
let  us  run  the  race  with  patience.  Of  honorable  women  there  have  been  not  a 
few.  Lydia  and  Priscilla  Phebe  and  the  Marys  have  had  their  successors 
in  all  our  churches.  Miss  Fay  and  Miss  Catharine  Jones  in  China,  Mrs. 
Payne  and  Mrs.  Hoffman  in  Africa,  Miss  Britain  in  India,  Miss  Crowly  in 
Japan  and  many  kindred  spirit  from  the  ranks  of  women  are  calling  like 
Deborah  of  old  to  new  and  valiant  exploits  for  God.  It  is  not  by  men  of  great 


22  INTER-SKMINARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

endowments  so  much  as  of  large  heart  and  strong  faith  that  God  has  done  his 
work.  Their  Ufe  of  purity,  unselfishness,  devotion  to  man,  and  faith  in  a 
higher  world  have  been  the  most  real  Imitatores  Christi.  May  the  Spirit 
of  God  descend  upon  this  assembly,  and  the  felt  presence  of  Jesus  Christ  be 
experienced  as  he  shall  breath  upon  us  and  say,  "Receive  ye  the  Holy 
Ghost,"  Then  we  shall  go  forth  from  this  sacred  association  animated  by 
one  hope,  guided  by  one  faith,  sanctified  by  one  baptism,  and  in  the  strength 
of  one  Lord.  Then  God  shall  bless  us,  yea  even  our  own  God  shall  give  us 
his  blessing,  and  all  the  ends  of  the  world  shall  see  his  salvation. 


MISSIONS    IN    AFUICA.  23 


The  Relation  of  the   Congo  Free  State  to 
African  Missions. 

r>Y  Thos.  J.  Villers,  Rochester  Theological  Seminary, 
Rochester,  N.  V. 

Moftat;  Livingstone,  Stanley!  'Jliese  are  three  great  names  which  will  ever 
stand  prominent  in  African  history.  For  Moffat  led  to  Livingstone,  and 
Livingstone  led  to  Stanley  and  Stanley  led  to  the  Congo,  and  so  all  three 
had  a  s^iare  in  the  founding  of  the  F"ree  State. 

In  iSl6  the  London  Missionary  Society  sent  Dr.  Moffat  to  South  Africa. 
In  all  that  vast  region  only  a  few  United  Brethren  were  holding  forth  the 
word  of  life.  Moffat  settled  among  the  Bechuana  tribes,  where  with  true  de- 
votion to  his  Master  he  labored  both  as  a  missionary  and  explorer  for  about 
half  a  century.  And  it  was  largely  due  to  his  influence  that  Livingstone's 
work  was  stamped  with  its  distinctive  character. 

When  Living.-,ton2  reached  Africa  in  1S41,  what  did  the  world  know  of 
the  vast  country  between  Moffat's  station  and  the  Great  Desert?  Fired  with 
a  zeal  peculiar  he  began  those  wonderful  missionary  explorations  which  have 
placed  him  first  among  African  benefactors.  While  in  the  Manyuema  coun- 
try in  1369-71,  no  news  concerning  him  reached  either  Europe  or  America, 
and  great  anxiety  prevailed.  The  New  York  Herald  sent  out  Stanley  with 
instructions  to  find  him;  and  on  Oct.  28th,  1S71  the  two  grasped  hands  at 
Ujiji  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Lake  Tanganika.  This  was  a  providential 
meeting,  for  Livingstone  exercised  a  profound  influence  over  the  skeptical 
journaUst  and  God  intended  that  Stanley  should  complete  the  exploration 
which  the  great  missionary  had  begun.  Remaining  together  for  more  than 
four  months  the  two  separated,  the  one  to  continue  his  work  in  Africa,  the 
other  with  sad  lieart  to  make  his  way  homeward.  One  year  later  we  see  an 
old  man  in  Chitambo's  village  in  Ilala,  on  the  south  of  Lake  Bangweolo, 
Worn  by  hardships,  enfeebled  by  suffering,  his  earthly  life  almost  finished,  he 
is  lying  on  a  rude  bed  in  a  grass  hut.  It  is  Dr.  Livingstone.  At  4  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  May  ist,  1873  the  servants  look  at  their  master,  and,  by 
the  light  of  the  burning  candle,  they  see  him,  "not  in  bed,  but  kneeling  at  the 
bedside,  with  his  head  buried  in  his  hands  upon  the  pillow."  He  died  pray- 
ing— for  the  redemption  of  Africa.  And  that  prayer-breath,  ascending  tO' 
heaven,  was  preserved  in  the  golden  censer  where  John  tells  us  that  the 
petitions  of  the  saints  are  kept.  The  heroic  missionary  was  not  permitted. 
as  he  wished,  to  sleep  sweetly  "in  some  far-oft"  still  deep  forest"  till  the  resur- 
rection morn.  England  claimed  him  as  her  own.  And  with  Stanley  as  one 
of  the  pall-bearers,  what  was  mortal  of  the  Christian  hero  was  deposited  m 
Westminster  Ablicy,  April  iSth,  1875. 


24  INTER-SEMINARV    MISSIONARY    ALLIANX'E. 

Stanley  laid  down  Livingstone's  body  antl  took  up  his  w  oik.  For  by 
this  time  the  angel  had  taken  the  censer,  and  filled  it  with  fire  of  the  altar;, 
and  cast  it  into  the  earth;  and  there  were  voices,  and  thunderings,  and 
lightnings,  and  an  earthquake,  the  prayer  in  Ilala  was  answered.  All 
Europe  and  America  were  aroused.  Stanley  resolved  to  complete  Living- 
stone's project.  And  the  discovery  of  Stanley,  it  has  been  said,  was  little 
less  remarkable  than  the  discovery  of  the  Congo  itself.  In  Oct.,  1876  he 
reached  Nyanwe,  the  farthest  point  down  the  Congo  reached  by  Living 
stone;  and  from  there  set  out  to  follow  the  course  of  the  river,  and  on  Aug. 
12,  1877  the  Atlantic  Ocean  burst  into  view,  and  the  problem  was  forever 
settled  that  the  Chambezi  Lualaba  are  only  the  head  waters  of  that  one 
great  river  whose  mouth  the  Portuguese  had  discovered  four  centuries  before. 

In  the  meantime  at  Brussels  in  September,  1876,  Leopold  II.,  king  of  the 
Belgians,  had  founded  the  African  International  Association  for  the  explor- 
ation and  civilization  of  Central  Africa.  After  Stanley  had  opened  the 
great  water  highway  into  the  continent,  it  was  thought  best  to  establish  a 
branch  organization  for  special  work  on  the  Congo.  Accordingly,  there  was 
formed  in  November  1878  the  Committee  for  the  Study  of  the  Upper  Congo, 
or,  as  it  was  afterwards  called,  the  International  Association  of  the  Congo.  It 
was  under  the  auspices  of  this  Association  that  Stanley  on  Aug.  14th,  1879 
arrived  before  the  mouth  of  the  river  to  ascend  it  and  open  its  great  basin  to 
civilization  and  commeixe.  But  the  Association  felt  that  their  object  could 
not  be  accomplished  unless  the  newly-discovered  territory  could  be  properly 
protected.  It  was  feared  that  France  or  Portugal,  on  learning  the  impor- 
tance of  the  basin,  might  seek  to  enrich  herself  by  annexing  the  mouth  of 
the  river,  and  thus  the  interior  would  be  shut  up  from  further  develop- 
ment. It  was  therefore  resolved  to  set  about  acquiring  sovereign  rights 
from  the  natives,  with  a  view  to  founding  a  Free  State.  With  this  in  mind 
Stanley  went  up  the  river  as  far  as  the  Falls  which  bears  his  name,  establishing 
stations  and  making  treaties  with  chiefs.  Over  four  hundred  and  fifty  inde- 
pendent chiefs  ceded  to  the  Association  their  rights  of  sovereignty  and  own- 
ership; a  sufficient  number  of  these  smaller  dominions  to  be  combined  into 
one  grand  whole  and  constituted  a  sovereign  state.  But  while  this  was 
going  on,  eyes  in  Europe  were  turned  towards  Africa,  "the  annexation  fever 
was  in  the  air."  Germany  was  adding  to  her  domain  different  portions 
along  the  coast;  while  Portugal  proposed  to  annex  the  lower  course  of  the 
Congo,  and  made  a  treaty  with  the  English  government  whereby  (if  ratified 
by  other  governmental  powers)  an  end  would  have  been  put  to  any  further 
enterprise  in  the  Congo  basin.  Against  this  Anglo-Portuguese  treaty  signal 
protests  were  made.  It  was  decided,  therefore,  that  a  conference  should  be 
called,  in  which  the  United  States  and  the  European  powers  should  be 
represented,  and  that  this  conference  shall  determine  upon  all  matters  of  in- 
ternational interest  pertaining  to  the  Congo  and  the  rights  of  the  Interna- 
tional Association.  Accordingly,  such  a  conference  met  at  Berlin  on  Nov. 
15th,  1884.  I'ifteen  different  nations  were  there  represented  under  the  presi- 
dency of  Prince  Bismarck,  the  constitution   of  the  Free    State    was    formed; 


MISSIONS    IN    AKKICA.  25 

treaties  were  made  w  ilh  tlie  various  nations,  w  hich  in  turn  reorganized  tlie 
International  Association  as  a  governing  power  on  the  Congo;  and  when 
tlie  conference  adjourned  on  Feb.  26th,  1S86,  the  Free  State  took  its  place 
among  the  sovereign  powers  of  the  world. 

In  considering  the  relation  of  the  Congo  Free  State  to  African  missions  we 
must  notice 

I.  The  time  of  its  formation.  It  is  true  that  the  speed  of  God  "time 
<;ounts  not,  tlio'  with  swiftest  minute.-,  wing'd."  But  God  is  never  ahead  of 
lime.  It  is  equally  true  that  "when  God  walks  the  earth,  his  steps  are  often 
centuries  apart."  But  God  is  never  behind  time.  When  the  fulness  of  the 
time  came  he  sent  forth  his  Son  to  i-edeem  the  world.  And  when  the  fulness 
■of  the  time  came  for  Africa  he  made  provision  for  her  redemption.  The 
lime  of  the  formation  of  the  Free  .State  may  suggest  to  us  its  providential 
relation  to  the  evangelization  of  Africa. 

1st.  I  consider  the  internal  condition  of  the  continent  when  the  Free  State 
was  founded.  It  was  a  time  marked  oy  the^  decay  of  the  old  kingdoms! 
Tradition  speaks  of  far  greater  and  more  powerful  kingdoms  in  the  past. 
A  recent  writer  says:  "It  is  very  evident  that  the  kings  of  Congo,  Kabinda, 
Loango,  and  Angola  exerted  at  one  time  far  more  influence  than  they  do 
today.  Indeed,  the  king  of  Congo  (whose  influence  is  merely  nominal  out- 
side his  own  town)  is  the  only  chief  that  maintains  his  style  and  title;  the 
-others  have  become  extinct  during  this  century.  We  find  then  the  whole 
•country  in  a  state  of  disintegration;  every  town  a  separate  state,  and  its 
chief,  to  all  practical  purposes,  independent"  (Bentley;  Life  on  the  Congo, 
p.  45).  This,  then,  was  just  the  time  to  enter  Africa.  There  was  no  unity 
of  power,  no  mighty  kingdom  ruled  by  a  powerful  hand  and  able  to  resist 
the  entrance  of  the  Christian  world.  The  old  sovereignties  were  decayed  or 
■ctecaying,  thus  making  possible  the  founding  of  the  Free  State.  But  God 
intended  that  such  a  state  should  be  constituted  only  for  the  more  easy 
•establishment  of  the  Kingdom  of  Light  in  the  Dark  Continent.  How  mar- 
vellous his  providence! 

But  again, "the  Free  State  was  founded  at  a  time  ^\  hen  in  Equatorial 
Africa  there  was  one  great  race  zvith  one  language.  The  Congo  basin,  in- 
deed all  that  vast  territory  which  stretches,  roughly  speaking,  from  six  de- 
crees north  latitude  to  Cape  Colony,  is  inhabited  by  the  Bantus,  who  are 
the  typical  negroes  and  the  greatest  of  African  races.  To  be  sure  there  are 
among  this  people  many  tribes  with  their  various  linguistic  differences.  But 
the  dialects  spoken  are  cognate  and  belong  to  "one  great  language  or  family 
of  languages."  Mr.  R.  N.  Cust  of  the  Royal  Asiatic  Society,  is  quoted  as 
saying  that  "the  Bantu  languages  are  soft,  pliant  and  flexible,  to  an  almost 
iinlimited  extent.  Their  grammatical  principles  are  founded  on  the  most 
systematic  and  philosophical  basis,  and  the  number  of  words  may  be  multi- 
plied to  an  almost  indefinite  extent.  They  are  capable  of  expressing  all  the 
nicer  shades  of  thought  and  feeling,  and  perhaps  no  other  languages  of  the 
world  are  capable  of  more  definiteness  and  precision  of  expression."  (Life 
on  the  Congo,  p.  43).    What  a  wonderful  provision  is  this  for  the  translation 


26  INTER-SEMINARV    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

of  God's  Word  and  for  the  easy  acquisition  of  the  vernacular  by  the  Chris- 
tian missionary.  We  are  reminded  forcibly  of  the  providential  preparation 
of  the  world  for  the  coming  of  Christ,  by  the  spread  of  the  Greek  language 
in  its  Hellenistic  form. 

And  looking  still  further  at  the  internal  condition  of  this  region,  \\  c 
observe  another  very  encouraging  feature  for  mission  work.  It  is  the 
religious  status  of  the  people — they  have  no  system  as  yet.  When  the  mis- 
sionary entered  China,  he  found  the  Chinese  controlled  by  a  subtle  priest- 
hood and  proud  of  their  ethical  and  religious  faith  which  had  become  hoary 
with  age.  On  entering  India,  he  found  the  people  in  the  despotic  grasj)  of 
Brahminism  and  Mohammedanism,  or  going  to  Burmah,  Siam,  and  Japan, 
he  found  Buddhism  with  its  magnificent  temples  to  attract  the  eye  and  awe 
the  soul  of  the  worshipper.  And  apostasy  from  one  of  these  old  systems 
might  cost  the  apostate  his  life.  Not  so  \\  ith  the  Africans.  They  are 
more  like  the  Karens,  a  people  who  had  no  form  of  heathen  religion  or 
priesthood  and  among  whom  the  gospel  has  wroiight  such  marvellous  re- 
sults. The  Africans  are  victims  of  all  scnts  of  superstitions,  but  they  do  not 
worship  idols.  The  images  which  they  have  are  not  objects  of  worshi]). 
The  smaller  ones  iji  their  homes  and  the  larges  ones  in  front  of  the  towns 
are  not  regarded  as  personalities  but  as  charms  to  ensure  good  fortune  and 
protection.  And  all  representations  of  the  natives  as  bowing  down  to  a 
fetich  and  worshipping  with  prayer  and  praise  are. simply  false  word-pictures. 
The  name  of  God  is  known  among  the  people,  and  that  is  about  the  extent 
of  their  knowledge  of  him.  In  many  cases,  however,  there  is  a  somewhat 
clear  idea  of  his  personality.  He  is  regarded  as  Creator,  and  sender  of 
rains.  But  they  are  ignorant  of  any  means  of  communication  with  him, 
though  he  be  not  far  from  every  one  of  them.  None  believe  that  death  is  a 
cessation  of  being;  although  as  to  the  future  state  their  superstitions  fur* 
nish  little  explanation  or  comfort.  Some  think  that  the  spirit  world  is  in  a 
dark  forest  land,  others  that  it  is  under  the  sea.  When  their  friends  die- 
some  suppose  that  they  have  been  "witched  a%\  ay"  and  sold  to  traders 
The  coast  laborers  are  thought  by  some  to  have  been  thus  obtained,  anJi 
under  the  influence  of  such  a  belief  many  come  from  the  interior  to  the  sea 
and  with  sad  hearts  gaze  into  the  faces  of  the  coast  laborers  in  hope  of 
finding  their  loved  but  departed  friends.  When  the  missionary  goes  to  such 
people  as  these  and  tells  them  that  he  has  brought  news  not  from  a  strange 
God  but  from  their  own  God;  when  he  tells  them  of  the  Saviour  who  both 
died  and  rose  again;  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  they  \\\\\  receive  the 
message  which  our  Common  Father  sends  from  the  spirit  world,  and  that 
they  M  ill  believe  on  him  who  hath  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light. 

In  considering  the  time  of  the  formation  of  the  Free  State  it  is  important 
to  notice  not  only  the  internal  conditon  of  Africa,  but  also 

2d.  The  condition  of  the  extei-nal  world.  \t.'\satime  of  belief  in  Iwtk 
civil  and  religioits  ffeedom.  If  this  great  continent  had  been  opened  at  an 
earlier  stage  of  human  history,  it  certainly  would  not  have  enjoyed  the 
advantages  which  are  offered  to  it  to-day.    Being  discovered  at  this  peculiar 


MISSIONS    IN    AFRICA.  27 

period,  this  region  of  untold  rcsourees  was  saved  from  spoliation  and  conse- 
crated to  civilization.  Both  the  civil  and  the  religious  rights  of  the  people 
are  to  be  jealously  guarded,  and  in  their  progress  the  natives  arc  to  he 
guided  by  the  civilized  and  Christian  nations  of  the  earth.  Dr.  Pierson,  in 
speaking  of  the  Berlin  Conference  and  the  compact  there  made,  asks:  "Who 
are  the  national  parties  to  this  most  remarkable  compact  for  civil  and  re- 
ligious freedom  Not  only  Protestant  powers,  like  the.  United  States,  Great 
Britain,  Prussia,  Denmark,  Norway  and  Sweeden,  but  the  Greek  Church, 
as  represented  by  Russia;  the  Papal  Church,  as  represented  by  Austria; 
Belgium,  Spain,  Portugal,  France,  and  Italy;  and  even  the  Moslem  power 
as  represented  by  Turkey!  The  grandeur  of  the  event  overwhelms  us, 
When,  in  the  history  of  the  world  before,  have  Protestant,  Greek,  Papal, 
and  Moslem  powers  conferred  and  combined  to  assure  civil  and  religious 
freedom  to  a  new  state  just  emerging  out  of  obscurity  and  semi-barbarism 
into  an  enlightened  civilization." 

Still  further.  The  Free  State  was  formed  at  a  time  of  unparalleled  mis- 
sionary activity  in  the  Christian  Church.  One  hundred  years  ago  not  only 
were  heathen  countries  closed  to  the  gospel,  but  the  church  itself  was  prac- 
tically dead  to  mission  work.  There  -was  even  antipathy  to  foreign  missions. 
The  evangelization  of  the  world  was  declai-ed  by  some  to  be  absurd  and 
fanatical.  And  even  as  late  as  1792  when  William  Carey  led  in  the  formation 
of  the  first  English  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  he  was  sneered  at  by  many, 
and  was  combated  even  by  some  of  his  Christian  brethren.  But  forces 
were  at  work  during  the  last  half  of  the  eighteenth  century  which  produced 
a  revival  of  apostolic  religion,  and  the  church  began  to  hold  special  meet- 
ings of  prayer  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel.  Christians  came  to  feel  that  the 
church  had  more  to  do  than  merely  to  cultivate  the  little  sphere  that  im- 
mediately surrounded  their  own  doors.  They  began  to  recognize  the  fact 
that  the  field  is  the  world.  A  mighty  impetus  was  given  to  evangelistic 
labor,  and  the  efforts  then  begun  have  in  our  own  time  grown  into  vast 
proportions.  Indeed,  to  quote  once  more  the  words  of  Dr.  Pierson,  "That 
is  the  epoch  of  world-ivide  missions.  Since  this  century  began,  a  golden 
net-work,  glistening  with  heavenly  dews,  has  been  extending  from  the 
great  centres  of  Christiandom,  with  lines  radiating  in  every  direction,  and 
cross-lines  connecting,  until  the  great  globe  itself  is  girldled  and  enclosed;" 
(The  Crisis  of  Missions,  p.  2C).  God  opened  the  Dark  Continent  when  the 
Christian  M'orld  was  ready  to  push  in  with  its  gospel  light.  And  our  own 
great  country  is  specially  adapted  to  give  assistance  to  this  newly  dis- 
covered field.  Within  our  borders  are  seven  millions  of  people  of  African 
descent.  About  a  quarter  of  a  century  has  passed  away  since  their  liber- 
ation. During  this  time  they  have  been  learning  methods  of  government 
and  have  been  attending  the  schools  which  were  established  for  their  educa- 
tion. And  we  may  expect  that  God  %vill  in  this  case  make  the  wrath  of  man 
to  praise  him.  These  people  who  were  brought  from  Africa  bound  in 
chains  God  will  send  back  to  Africa  free  men  in  Christ   jesus    and    bearing. 


■28  INTKK-SEMIXAKY  MISSIONARY  ALLIANCE. 

-with    them  that  gospel  which  will  bring  liberty  to  their  brethren    held    fast 
in  the  bondage  of  sin. 

Looking,  then,  at  the  providential  preparation  for  the  evangelization  of 
Africa,  as  suggested  by  the  very  time  when  the  Free  State  was  formed, 
we  find  that  in  Central  Africa  the  old  kingdoms  w  ere  decaying  and  offering 
opportunity  for  the  new  and  better;  that  there  lived  the  typical  negro  race, 
with  a  language  specially  fitted  for  the  missionary  and  his  work;  there  the 
people  were  as  yet  controlled  by  no  subtle  priesthood  and  bound  to  no  re- 
ligious system:  and  then  when  we  turn  to  the  external  world  and  see  that 
it  is  a  time  when  nations  believe  in  free  governments  and  liberty  of  con- 
science; and  when  the  Christian  Church  is  all  ablaze  with  missionary  zeal, 
we  are  led  to  exclaim:  "This  was  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvellous  in 
our  eyes." 

Again,  the  Congo  Free  State  is  related  to  African  missions  as  to 

II.  The  Strategic  position  of  its  territory.  This  may  be  called  its 
;w/2«r(7/ relation.  Its  situation  is  of  great  significance.  Why,  but  for  its 
position,  did  God  choose  Palestine  to  be  the  scene  of  the  most  momentous 
events  in  the  world's  history?  The  Holy  Land  was  a  very  small  territory, 
but  its  position  on  the  map  of  the  world  at  the  beginning  of  the  Christian 
.era  was  a  strategic  position.  It  was  the  pivotal  point  between  the  three 
continents.  It  lay  between  the  two  great  rivals  of  the  ancient  world, 
iind  Assyria,  and  was  on  the  great  highway  of  travel  between  the  East  and 
the  West.  No  other  place  on  the  globe  was  so  well  adapted  to  be  the  scene 
of  the  life  and  death  of  him,  who  is  "the  light  of  the  world."  God  chooses 
positions.  Taking  up  the  map  of  Africa  and  looking  at  the  region  embrac- 
ed by  the  Free  State,  we  find  that 

ist.  Its  position  furnishes  a  central  basis  of  operation.  Not  so  easily  could 
■the  continent  be  evangelized  if  this  new  power  occupied  any  other  than  its 
present  location.  In  the  valley  of  the  Nile  commerce  thrived  centuries  ago, 
and  then  many  of  the  arts  and  the  sciences  were  cradled.  But  the  remainder 
of  Africa  lay  enveloped  in  its  own  darkness.  On  the  southern  shore  of  the 
:Mediterranean  the  Christian  Church  once  found  a  home.  But  over  the  vast 
interior  ray  less  night  lay  settled  like  a  pall.  The  Free  State,  however,  lies  not 
on  the  outer  edge  of  the  continent.  //  is  an  immense  territory  in  the  very 
heart  of  Africa,  thus  giving  opportunity  for  the  gospel  light  in  its  radiation 
•to  enlighten  the  whole  continent.  Starting  from  the  mouth  of  the  Congo, 
-the  Free  State  runs  eastward,  widening  as  it  goes,  till  it  touches  the  water- 
parting  between  the  Zambezi  and  the  Congo  on  the  south,  Lake  Tanganika 
on  the  east,  and  the  water-shed  of  the  Congo  and  the  Nile  on  the  north. 
Thus  the  State  runs  two-thirds  of  the  way  across  the  continent,  and  reaches 
a  width  of  twelve  hundred  miles  from  north  to  south.  It  is  an  extensive 
•territory  lying  on  both  sides  of  the  equator,  embracing  more  than  a  million 
square  miles,   and  containing  about  fifty  millions  of  people. 

We  notice  still  further  that  the  Free  State  is  intimately  related  to  the  Free 
Trade  Area.  While  the  Congo  State  has  a  coast  line  of  only  twenty-three 
and  a  half  miles,  this  Area  devoted  to  the  free  trade  of  all  nations  runs   along 


MISSIONS  IN  AKKICA. 


29- 


the  Atlantic  for  about  three  hundred  and  eighty  miles.  It  inchides  the  Free 
State,  and  also  the  French  and  Portuguese  possessions  on  the  west  coast; 
and  then  starting  east  from  the  Atlantic  it  runs  across  the  continent  to  the 
Indian  Ocean,  being  thus  a  spacious  commercial  zone  stretching  from  Sea 
to  Sea  and  containing  about  two  and  one-half  millions  of  square  miles. 

Now,  the  Free  State  and  the  Free  Trade  Area  may  be  expected  to  influence 
all  Africa.  At  present  the  Congo  State  has  little  actual  relation  to  any  but 
Central  Africa.  There  must  be  railways  built  and  other  means  of  communica- 
tion opened  up  before  the  gospel  can  spread  over  the  entire  continent.  But 
a  beginning  has  been  made  in  the  right  place.  Whatever  of  civilization  and 
Christianity  is  introduced  into  the  Free  State  will  spread  over  the  Free  Trade 
Area  and  from  this  perhaps  over  the  continent.  It  is  in  accordance  with  the 
method  of  Scripture  to  begin  at  the  heart.  In  converting  men  God  never 
begins  on  the  outside  to  work  in.  But  conversion  takes  place  first  at  the 
very  center  of  man's  being  and  then  manifests  itself  in  the  outward  life.  So 
if  the  heart  of  Africa  can  be  Christianized,  the  whole  continent  will  soon  feel 
its  influence.  As  when  a  mighty  stone  is  dropped  upon  the  quiet  surface  of 
deep  waters  the  circular  waves  go  out  increasing  "in  number  and  enlarging  in 
size;  so  from  the  cross  set  up  in  the  center  of  Africa  we  may  hope  that 
the  circles  of  Christ's  kingdom  shall  go  out  increasing  and  enlarging  till  all 
they  that  dwell  in  darkness  shall  bow  before  him  and  his  dominion  shall 
extend  from  sea  to  sea. 

2d.  The  territory  thus  situated  is  remarkable  also  for  its  natural  resources 
and  facilities.  The  Free  State  is  more  than  central  in  its  location.  If  it  were 
characterized  by  poverty  of  natural  resources  and  means  of  transportation, 
a  central  might  not  be  a  strategic  position.  This,  however,  is  not  the  case. 

The  Free  State  inchides  the  wealth  of  Equatorial  Africa.  Nearly  ever)^- 
where  the  valuable  oil-palm  is  found,  and  in  some  localities  there  are  whole 
forests  of  it.  The  india-rubber  plant,  white  and  red  gum  copal,  and  cam- 
wood are  also  found  in  such  abundance  as  to  offer  great  inducements  to 
commercial  circles.  And  Stanley  says  that  vast  extents  of  forest  are  draped 
with  orchilla  weed  lying  on  the  woods  like  a  green  veil.  And  ivory,  which 
exists  in  such  large  quantities,  is  reckoned  to  rank  only  fifth  in  natural  pro- 
ducts. Iron,  copper,  plumbago  and  gold  are  found.  There  are  numerous  varie- 
ties and  great  quantities  of  fruits  and  vegetables,  and  those  which  are  not  in- 
digenous are  being  introduced  with  extraordinary  success.  Surely  when  we 
look  into  this  part  of  Africa,  so  long  unknown  to  the  civilized  world,  we  are 
led  to  say  with  the  Psalmist:  "O  Lord,  the  earth  is  full  of  thy  riches." 

Into  all  this  wealthy  region  the  Congo  and  its  tributaries  furnish  natural 
highways  for  commerce  and  Christian  Missions.  The  Congo  itself  is  more 
than  three  thousand  miles  long.  ♦  In  its  lower  course  it  is  navigable  to  Vivi 
Station— one  hundred  and  ten  miles  from  the  Atlantic.  Then  travel  to 
Stanley  Pool  (say  a  little  over  two  hundred  miles)  must  be  by  rail,  on  ac- 
count of  the  cataract  region.  But  when  Leopoldville  at  the  lower  end  of  the 
Pool  has  been  reached,  the  great  river  is  again  navigable  to  Stanley  Falls,  a 
distance  often  hundred  and  sixty-eight  miles.     The  river  in  this  section   is- 


30  INTER-SEMINARY  MISSIONARY  ALLIANCE. 

almost  a  semi-circle,  lying  across  the  equator,  with  the  curve  turned  north- 
ward; while  the  lay  of  land  is  said  to  resemble  an  inverted  saucer.  "It  is  a 
high  plateau  of  from  2000  to  4000  feet  elevation,  surrounded  by  an  elevated 
ridge,  from  which  the  land  slopes  rapidly  away  to  the  north  and  south,  and 
on  the  east  and  west  to  the  sea."  Through  this  peculiar  geological  forma- 
tion the  Congo  flows  from  the  east,  and,  cutting  through  the  hill  country 
on  the  west,  rushes  clown  to  the  sea.  The  water-shed  on  the  south  turns 
six  great  rivers  into  the  Congo,  and  that  on  the  north  some  ten  or  eleven 
more.     Truly  Central  Africa  is  "a  land  of  rivers  of  water." 

If,  then,  we  consider  the  position  of  the  Free  State,  remembering  that  its 
location  is  central,  thus  giving  civilization  and  Christianity  an  opportunity 
to  enlarge  their  boundaries  on  all  sides;  that  it  is  a  country  of  untold  natural 
resources,  inviting  to  it  others  than  missionaries  to  develope  its  resources 
and  elevate  its  people;  if  we  then  think  of  the  great  water  courses  running 
east,  west,  north  and  south;  and  then  picture  to  ourselves  vessels  in  the 
future  steaming  up  and  down  these  rivers,  carrying  missionaries,  Bibles,  and 
printing  presses,  as  well  as  commercial  wares,  we  may  see  that  the  natui'al 
relation  of  the  Congo  Free  State  to  African  missions  is  by  no  means  to  be 
overlooked: 

.In  concluding  this  discussion  as  to  how  missions   in   the    Dark  Continent 
will  be  affected  by  the  Free  State,   we  must  consider 

III.  The  provisions  of  its  constitution.  And  as  the  time  when  the  State 
was  formed  suggested  its  providential  relation  to  the  evangelization  of  Africa, 
and  the  strategic  position  of  the  State  its  natural  relation,  so  the  privileges 
permanently  provided  at  its  establishment  may  be  called  its  constitutional 
relation.  Among  these  provisions  of  the  constitution  we  notice  those 
referring  to: 

1st.  The  preservation  and  civilization  of  the  nations.  JVo  attempt  is  to  be 
made  to  driv^  out  the  natives  and  take  possession  of  t/ieir  land.  On  the  con- 
trary they  are  to  be  regarded  as  men  with  inviolable  rights.  The  civiliza- 
tion of  Africa  does  not  depend  on  driving  out  this  people  and  settling  it  with 
foreigners,  but  on  lifting  the  nations  out  of  their  "listless  carelessness,"  turn- 
ing their  attention  from  tribal  warfare  to  the  developement  of  the  country, 
putting  the  children  into  schools  for  the  expansion  of  their  intellects  and  the 
cultivation  of  their  moral  natures,  instead  of  allowing  a  boy  to  grow  up,  buy 
a  gun  and  a  wife  and  then  sink  down  into  indolence  as  if  the  aim  of  life  were 
accomplished.  The  Free  State  has  provided  that  all  institutions  whether 
religious,  scientific,  or  charitable,  which  look  toward  the  preservation  of  the 
natives,  the  amelioration  of  their  moral  and  material  condition,  the  work  of 
educating  them  to  understand  and  appreciate  the  advantages  of  civilization 
are  to  be  encouraged  and  protected  without  respect  of  creed  or  nationality: 

The  powers  connected  with  the  Congo,State  have  also  pledged  themselves 
for  the  suppression  of  slavery  and  the  slave  trade.  A  large  proportion  of  the 
population  are  slaves,  obtained  either  by  purchase  or  by  war.  Sometimes 
these  slaves  are  well  treated,  but  the  fact  that  they  are  the  property  of  an- 
other often  subjects  them  to  the  most  cruel  abuse.     In  some  cases  if  a  man 


MISSIONS  IN  AFRICA.  3I 

is  condemned  to  die,  he  may  purchase  a  slave  to  die  in  his  stead.  And  often 
tii^  most  horrible  tragedies  are  enacted  at  the  death  of  a  chief  or  a  man  of 
wealth.  He  must  not  go  to  the  spirit  world  unaccompanied.  And  so  any- 
where from  two  to  fifty  slaves  are  butchered  like  so  many  beasts  and  their 
skulls  used  to  decorate  the  grave  of  the  departed  grandee. 

The  slave  trade  is  also  horrible  beyond  description.  One  bright  morning 
when  Livingstone  was  walking  on  the  banks  of  the  Upper  Congo,  he  noticed 
about  fifteen  hundred  people  gathered  together  at  a  market,  when  suddenly  a 
murderous  fire  was  opened  upon  them  by  slave  hunters.  A  great  confusion 
followed;  many  were  killed  by  the  shots,  and  others  rushing  to  the  river  to 
escape  slavery  were  drowned  in  the  waters.  The  shrieking  of  the  frightened, 
the  groans  of  the  dying,  and  the  wailing  over  the  dead,  produced  upon 
Livingstone  an  impression  which  haunted  him  till  the  day  of  his  death. 
And  as  .Stanley  was  ascending  the  river  previous  to  the  Berhn  Conference, 
he  came  upon  the  track  of  Arab  slave  traders — burnt  villages,  leveled  palm 
trees,  ruthless  ruin  everywhere.  When  these  villains  were  overtaken  they 
were  found  to  have  as  captives  twenty-three  hundred  women  and  children. 
They  had  been  on  their  raid  about  eleven  months,  and  had  plundered  and 
burned  one  hundred  and  eighteen  villages.  Surely  the  suppression  of  slavery 
and  of  such  a  traffic  will  not  only  preserve  the  people  and  their  country,  bill 
will  go  far  to  teach  the  inviolable  rights  of  the  individual,  the  sanctity  of 
human  life,  and  the  sublime  Christian  doctrine  of  the  brotherhood  of  man. 

2d.  The  constitution  further  guarantees  special  protection  to  explorers 
and  scientests.  Explorers  will  be  of  service  to  Christian  evangelization,  be- 
cause their  luork  luill  make  known  the  variotcs  regions  and  their  needs.  D)-. 
Livingstone  was  right  in  holding  that  we  must  ascertain  the  strategic  points 
and  master  the  geographical  problems,  before  we  can  begin  Christian  mis- 
sions "on  practical  and  conprehensive  lines"  (Life  on  the  Congo,  P.  95^ 
And  as  explorers  open  the  fields  of  labor,  those  who  visit  the  continent  in 
the  interest  of  medical  science  will  reveal  the  laws  to  be  observed  for  preserv- 
ing the  health  of  the  laborers.  It  must  be  admitted  that  the  climate  is  a  verv 
serious  obstacle  in  the  way  of  Christianizing  Africa.  The  burning  sun,  the 
cool  night  air,  the  pestilential  vapors  arising  from  mud  deposits  and  decay- 
ing vegetation  have  been  and  are  the  fruitful  causes  of  fever  and  of  death. 
But  much  of  the  fatality  has  been  due  not  so  much  to  the  climate  as  to  tb.e 
intemperate  habits  of  the  traders,  and  to  ignorance  of  sanitary  laws  and  over- 
exertion on  the  part  of  Christian  workers.  The  climate  of  Equatorial  Africa 
is  not  so  deadly  as  it  has  often  been  represented.  The  thermometer  in  the 
Free  State  during  the  hot  season  will  range  only  from  80''  to  90°  in  the  shade 
and  in  the  sun  about  25*^  higher.  As  the  Congo  is  ascended,  the  climate  is 
tound  to  be  more  healthy, 'and  above  Leopoldville,  Stanley  calls  the  tempera- 
ture "delightful."  As  the  climate  becomes  better  understood  and  medical 
science  advances,  the  security  of  life  becomes  greater,  and  it  now  seems  that 
the  problem  of  laboring  and  at  the  same  time  living  in  Africa  is  about  to  be 
solved.  Already  rules  have  been  laid  down  by  explorers  and  scientists,  which, 
it  is  claimed,  will  enable  one  to  live  as  long  on  the  Congo  as  in  India  or  even 


32  INTER-SEMINARY  MISSIONARY   ALLIANCE. 

in  England.  The  missionary  should  for  Christ's  sake  be  faithful  in  his  ob- 
servance of  these  laws  of  health,  remembering  that  he  goes  to  Africa  not  to 
die  Init  to  live  for  Christ.  And  yet  he  must  go  not  counting  his  life  dear  unto 
himself  if  so  be  that  he  may  finish  his  course  with  joy  and  the  ministiy 
which  he  has  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

3d.  A  third  provision  of  the  constitution  is  that  it  grants  freedom  of  trade 
to  all  nations.  This  privilege,  however,  is  limited  to  a  period  of  twenty 
years,  the  powers  represented  at  the  Berlin  Conference  having  reserved  to- 
themselves  the  right  to  decide  at  the  end  of  that  period  whether  or  not  free 
commerce  shall  be   continued. 

Since  love  of  traffic  is  the  peculiar  characteristic  of  the  natives,  desire  to- 
trade  -will  bring  them  together  at  the  various  market-places.  Thus  commerce 
will  be  of  service  to  Christian  missions  by  helping  in  the  acquisition  of 
languages  by  which  ideas  as  well  as  commodities  may  be  exchanged.  More- 
over,  at  these  places  of  trade  the  missionary  will  have  a  rare  opportunity  for 
preaching  the  gospel.  Induced  to  come  from  afar  to  these  markets  by  the 
hope  of  enriching  themselves  in  the  wealth  of  earth,  the  people  will  return 
to  their  widely-separated  homes  tolling  of  the  one  pearl  of  great  price  and  of 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 

And  commerce  will  also  open  ways  of  travel  and  communication.  The  in- 
troduction of  telegraphic  and  postal  systems  will  make  strangers  neighbors; 
and  the  great  routes  opened  through  the  country  for  the  transportation  of 
commercial  wares  will  furnish  roads  for  the  missionary,  just  as  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  Christian  era  "the  highways  built  for  commerce  and  for  the 
Roman  legions,  served  also  the  messengers  of  peace  and  the  silent  conquests 
of  the  cross." 

Furthermore,  apart  from  distinctively  Christian  work,  the  contact  zoith 
civilization,  which  commerce  secures,  will  assist  in  the  elevation  of  the  peo- 
ple. When  Stanley  went  up  the  west  coast  to  Duke  Town  and  Creek  Town, 
he  there  saw  African  Chiefs  occupying  well-furnished  houses  which  had  been 
made  in  England,  transported  section  by  section,  and  sold  to  the  chiefs  for 
palm-oil.  Commerce  may  yet  be  the  cause  of  similar  sights  on  the  Congo. 
And  in  addition  to  such  beneficial  results  from  trade,  there  will  be  others  of 
no  less  importance.  For  some  corporations,  for  example  the  African  Lakes 
Company,  propose  to  carry  on  all  their  trade  strictly  on  Christian  principles^ 
But  it  has  been  well  said  that  where  Gpd  builds  a  church  the  devil  builds  a 
chapel  close  by.  And  so  we  can  hardly  expect  that  commerce  will  be  an  un- 
mitigated blessing.  There  is  danger  that  very  many  will  conduct  their  l)us- 
iness  on  any  other  than  Christian  principles,  and  while'  so  doing  may  claim 
and  receive  the  protection  of  the  law.  To-day  one  of  the  greatest  obstacles 
in  the  way  of  saving  Africa  is  the  drink  traffic.  The  same  ship  which  bears 
the  missionary  to  save  the  people,  also  carries  its  barrels  of  rum  to  damn 
their  souls — The  Book  of  Truth  and  the  bottles  of  hell !  Let  us  pray  that 
this  and  all  other  evils  connected  with  African  commerce  may  be  stayed,  and 
let  us,  a  Conference  of  Christian  men,  protest  against  the  present  legal  pro- 


MISSIONS  IN   AFRICA.  33 

tection  of  this  fatal  traffic  on  the  Congo,  and  against  all  futuic  JL-giblation  in 
its  favor,  lest  the  blessing  of  free  trade  be  turned  into  a  curse. 

4th.  Finally,  the  Christian  missionary  is  heir  of  all  the  privileges  and  ad- 
vantages of  the  new  State.  Not  only  is  there  freedom  granted  to  commerce, 
protection  guaranteed  to  the  natives,  explorers  and  scientific  men;  but  it  is 
also  provided  that  the  herald  of  the  cross,  together  with  his  escorts  and  col- 
lections, shall  be  the'  object  of  special  protection.  And  that  such  a  provision 
is  necessary  to  any  assured  permanence  of  mission  work  may  be  seeii  by  re- 
calling the  shameful  treatment  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Baptist  missionaries 
by  the  P'rench  and  German  Governments  at  the  Gaboon  and  Cameroons. 
The  protestant  schools  were  closed,  and  attempts  were  made  to  drive  out 
these  denominations,  whose  missions  had  been  established  on  the  coast  for 
nearly  half  a  century.  But  no  such  treatment  is  possible  in  the  Free  State, 
for  the  constitution  declares  that  liberty  of  conscience  shall  be  guaranteed  lo 
tlie  natives  as  well  as  to  the  inhabitants  and  foreigners.  The  free  and  public 
exercise  of  every  creed,  the  right  to  erect  religious  buildings  and  to  organize 
missions  belonging  to  every  creed,  shall  be  subject  to  no  restriction  or  im- 
pediment whatever. 

And  already  the  missionaries  are  taking  advantage  of  the  adi'autagcs.  Look- 
ing at  a  map  of  Equatoiial  Africa  and  casting  our  eye  down  the  west  coast, 
we  notice  a  number  of  older  stations  each  seperated  from  the  other  by  a  dis- 
tance of  about  four  hundred  miles.  The  Baptist  Missionary  Society  at  the 
Cameroons,  the  American  Presbyterians  at  the  Gaboon,  the  American  Bap- 
tist Missionary  Union  at  the  north  of  the  Congo,  the  American  Methodist 
Episcopal  Mission  at  the  Coanza,  and  near  Benguela  are  missionaries  of  the 
American  Board.  From  different  points  along  the  west  coast,  missions  are 
being  pushed  into  the  interior.  But  at  present  the  center  of  attraction  seems 
to  be  the  Congo  and  its  newly-discovered  fields  so  full  of  rich  promise.  On 
the  lower  course  of  the  river  we  find  the  Swedish  Missionary  Society  with  its 
station  in  the  cataract  region.  Bishop  Taylor  is  zealously  prosecuting  his 
work  at  Stanley  Pool,  and  is  reaching  out  into  the  regions  beyond.  The 
American  and  English  Baptists  have  already  eleven  stations  on  the  Congo, 
and  are  endeavoring  to  stretch  their  chain  of  missions  from  the  Atlantic 
Ocean  to  Stanley  Falls.  Passing  across  the  continent  to  the  eastern  coast, 
we  find  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  the  London  Missionary  Society,  the 
United  Methodists,  the  Universities  Missions,  and  the  Scotch  Missions  (of 
both  the  Free  and  the  Established  Church).  These  Societies  have  been  ex- 
tending their  labor  westward,  till  finally  some  of  them  by  the  heroism  of 
such  men  as  Bishop  Harrington  have  reached  the  Great  Lakes,  and  already 
the  London  Missionary  Society  has  established  itself  on  the  upper  waters  of 
the  Congo.  This  work  reminds  us  of  the  railway  that  was  being  built  be- 
tween Switzerland  and  Italy.  It  was  necessary  to  put  a  tunnel  through  Mont 
Cenis,  which  separates  the  two  countries.  The  workmen  began  some  on  one 
side  of  the  mountain,  and  others  on  the  opposite  side.  They  began  to  dig 
their  way  in  toward  the  center.  Day  after  day  they  labored,  till  finally  the 
voices  of  the  one  party  and  the  sound  of  their  picks   could  be  heard   by    the 


34  INTKR-SEMINARV     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

Other  party  w  ho  had  started  in  from  the  opposite  side.  Nearer  and  nearer 
ihey  came,  and  hearts  beat  faster  and  faster,  until  with  loud  shouts  the  work- 
men bui-st  through  the  partition  of  earth  and  grasped  hands  at  the  center  ol 
the  mountain.  So  from  both  sides  of  Africa — from  the  east  and  from  the 
west — the  missionaries  of  the  cross  are  working  inland  toward  each  other, 
■strengthening  their  old  positions  while  establishing  new  stations;  and  we 
may  believe  that  in  the  very  near  future  these  laborers  of  Christ  shall  meet 
.and  join  hands  in  the  center  of  the  continent. 

Brethren,  we  are  told  that  "facts  are  the  fingers  of  God."  If  this  is  true, 
God  is  pointing  us  to  Africa.  He  is  encouraging  us  to  go  by  the  readiness  of 
the  people  to  receive  the  gospel.  Many  have  already  been  converted  to 
Christ — more  than  a  thousand  at  a  single  station.  He  is  warning  us  against 
•delay  by  the  fact  that  Catholicism  is  busily  engaged  on  the  Congo  while 
Mohammedanism  threatens  to  sweep  down  from  the  north  like  a  mighty 
tornado.  He  is  commanding  us  to  carry  to  these  people  the  message  of  sal- 
vation by  the  fact  that  the  vast  maiority  of  them  have  never  as  yet  so  much 
as  heard  of  the  Saviour.  At  the  close  of  Dr.  Mofifat's  account  of  his  "Mis- 
sionary Labors,"  there  is  a  picture  of  an  African  child  in  prayer.  He  is  sur- 
rounded with  rocks  and  grasses  and  trees,  while  the  sky  is  overhung  with 
darkness.  Kneeling  with  his  hands  clasped  and  his  youthful  face  turned 
heavenward,  he  is  praying  those  words  of  Christ,  "Thy  kingdom  come." 
What  shall  we  do  toward  answering  many  such  prayers  which  are  really  go- 
ing up  from  Africa  to-day?  How  shall  they  believe  in  Him  of  whom  they 
have  not  heard?  And  how  shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher?  If  we,  like 
Isaiah,  hear  the  voice  of  the  Lord  saying  unto  us,  "Whom  shall  I  send,  and 
•who  will  go  for  us?"  may  the  answer  of  that  ancient  servant  be  the  ready  re- 
sponse of  our  hearts — "Here  am  I;  send  me." 

THOS.     ].    ViLI.KRS. 


Discussion. 


W.  H.  COSSUM,  of  Hamilton:  This  matter  should  be  brough  before  the 
colored  people  of  this  country. 

E.  W.  Stone,  of  Rochester:  We  should  first  impress  it  up  ourselves. 
Ood  chooses  times,  places,  and  agencies. 


THE  GRKAT  COMMISSION. 


35 


The  Work  of  the  Church  as  defined  in  the 
Commission. 

By  Rev.  Frank  M.  Ellis,  D.D.,    1!altlmoke,  Mn. 

In  the  beginnino-  of  the  upl)uilding  of  God's  kingdom,  on  Eartli,  the 
master-builder,  (like  the  Architect  of  Strasburg  Cathedral)  was  cut  off— and 
liis  plans  were  left  to  his  church  to  work  out,  (as  the  plans  of  that  Cathedral 
were  left  to  the  architect's  daughter) ;  and  though  the  church  has  wrought 
through  the  centuries,  under  the  direction  of  the  ascended  Christ  and  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  still  the  incompleteness  that  mars  this  work,  shows  how  im- 
perfectly the  church  has  apprehended  the  design  and  magnitude  of  the  plans 
of  her  divine  master. 

Our  Lord's  commission  contemplates  the  world's  Evangelization;  toward 
this  his  providences  sweep  as  steadily  as  the  current  of  the  Gulf  Stream  flo\\  s 
between  its  ocean  walls.  The  extent  of  the  commission  emphasizes  its 
importance— "go  ye  unto  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature".  The  necessity,  adaptation  and  universality  of  the  gospel  is  alike 
clearly  assumed.  If  the  church  appreciates  the  scope  of  her  mission  as  thus 
marked  out,  or  if  she  rises  to  an  assurance  of  success,  in  a  work  of  such 
stupendous  magnitude,  it  is  certain  that  her  confidence  must  rest  unhesi- 
tatingly upon  the  divine  sovereignty  of  her  Lord  to  whom  "all  power  is 
given,  in  heaven  and  on  earth,"  as  her  guarantee  of  success.  Christ's  com- 
mission, bidding  his  church  "go"  is  a  necessity.  Selfishness  is  stagnation  and 
stagnation  is  death. 

It  has  been  said  tliat  had  Paul  preached  from  the  commission  he  \\  ould 
have  emphasized  this  word  "go."  Upon  that  word  Jesus  kid  the  stress  of 
his  command  ;  and  the  great  apostle's  ministry  is  a  living  illustration  of  our 
Lord's  meaning.  The  commission  is  the  marching  order  of  the  church  that 
is  to  preach  the  gospel  among  all  nations  for  "  the  obedience  of  faith".  In 
that  commission  revivals,  reformations  and  revolutions  are  enfolded  as  the 
miracles  of  life  are,  in  the  laws  of  nature.  The  work  of  the  church  as  defined 
in  the  commission  is  the  thought  I  desire  to  illustrate. 

I.  The  commission  recognizes  the  difficulties  which  oppose  the  church  in 
the  work  of  the  world's  evangelization.  As  the  sun  often  climbs  to  the 
zenith  along  a  pathway  of  clouds,  so  from  the  first,  the  progress  of  mission 
work  has  been  along  the  pathway  of  difficulty  and  discouragement.  For 
example,  in  the  noontide  of  his  usefullness  Brainard  is  laid  to  rest  in  his 
grave  at  Northampton.  The  precious  fragments  of  that  journal  of  his  inner 
life,  so  punctuated  by  tears  and  paragraphed  by  prayer,  are  gathered  up 
by  Edwards;  that  unpretending  book  finds  its  way  across  the  sea 
into    the   hands    of  a    student    at  Cambridge,    and    so   rouses    that   young 


.  36  INTEK-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

heart  with  an  enthusiasm  for  missions  that  it  is  laid  upon  God's  altar, 
until  on  the  hot  sands,  beside  the  Black  Sea,  the  life  of  Henry  Martyn  is 
burnt  out.  And  yet  who  can  estimate  the  influence  of  those  two,  devoted 
lives  upon  the  cause  of  modern  missions?  That  was  a  dark  day  for  the 
untried  church  when  Stephen  sealed  with  his  blood,  his  loyality  to  Christ, 
but  that  was  a  darker  day  when  her  Lord  was  laid  within  that  sealed 
sepulchre.  And  yet  that  burial  was  but  the  prelude  to  the  hour  when  from 
Joseph's  new  tomb  the  Christ  came  forth — declared  to  be  the  Son  of  God, 
with  power,  by  his  resurrection  from  the  dead.  So  through  the  tempests  of 
trial  and  in  spite  of  mistakes,  this  work  of  the  church  has  moved  along  the 
ages,  as  Jesus  came  across  storm-tossed  Tiberias,  stepping  from  crest  to 
crest  of  its  swinging  billows.  When  the  church  at  Jerusalem  was  menaced 
by  the  peril  of  centralization  of  forces  and  agencies,  persecution  sent  the  dis- 
ciples out  two  by  two  preaching  the  word.  And  God  may  yet  compel  us, 
to  make  a  wiser  use  of  our  undeveloped  and  hence  wasted  resources  than  we 
are  now  making.  Look  at  the  unemployed  men,  who  have  been  solemnly 
set  apart  for  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry ;  or  who  have  turned  aside  to 
secular  business;  at  the  undeveloped  gifts  God  has  bestowed  upon  his  church; 
at  the  millions  of  money,  professedly  consecrated  to  Christ,  that  is  locked  up 
in  useless  and  often  injurious  extravagance. 

Are  the  utterances  of  God's  word  concerning  our  possessions  and  resources 
to  be  spiritualized  into  meaningless  verbiage?  Has  it  come  to  this,  that  the 
money  of  Christ's  disciples,  like  that  of  the  world,  has  only  a  commercialand 
no  moral  value];  only  a  purchasing  power  and  no  evangelizing  influence?  Is 
our  capital,  are  our  incomes  exclusively  ours,  to  be  used  as  we  choose  with- 
out regard  to  the  work  of  Christ?  Or  are  we  his  stewards,  who  have  what 
we  have  and  are  prospered  as  we  are,  that  by  giving,  as  he  prospers  us, 
we  may  increase  our  usefulness  and  advance  his  glory  ? 

What  a  burning  disgrace,  if  what  Prof.  Stewart  of  Liberia  is  credited  with 
saying  be  true  !  "that  for  every  missionary  that  goes  to  Africa,  there  are  sent 
to  that  country  70,000  gallons  of  liquors".  Let  not  our  national  vanity  de- 
ceive us — :what  the  divine  purpose  respecting  this  country  may  be  has  not 
yet  been  revealed.  We  have  sinned — we  are  sinning — and  "the  wages  of 
sin  is  death". 

At  a  Roman  Catholic  banquet  in  Boston  some  time  ago,  there  was  received 
with  great  enthusiasm  the  following  toast :  ""Massachusetts — peopled  by 
pilgrims  from  England  in  the  17th  century — repeopled  by  pilgrims  from 
Ireland  in  the  igth  century".  Foreign  emigration  is  importing  Romanism, 
Socialism,  Anarchism  I  Be  assured  that  the  best  policy  for  our  republic  and 
the  best  defense  of  our  religion  here  at  home,  is  the  largest  diffusion  of  the 
gospel  abroad.  "What,"  says  Christlieb,  "if  the  darkest  spot  in  the  firmament 
of  missions,  is  not  to  be  sought  in  the  opposition  on  the  mission  fields,  but 
in  the  condition  of  the  home  churches  themselves?"  He  laments  the  de- 
cay of  that  enthusiasm  which  characterized  the  opening  years  of  the  enter- 
prise ;   "when    Christians    of  differing    faiths,    forgot,    for  the    time,    their. 


THE  CRKAT  COMMISSION.  37 

differences,  and  fell  sobbing  into  each  others  arms;  and  w  hen  immense  throngs 
thrilled  with  the  spirit  of  an  agressive  faith,  piled  contribution  plates  with 
gold-chains,  watches  and  jewels,  as  well  as  with  money."  "Thedanger  most 
to  be  apprehended"  says  another  "is  that  the  missionary  enterprise  will  glide 
into  routine,  missionary  zeal  become  so  much  rhetoric,  and  participation  in 
missionary  work  degenerate  into  a  matter  of  habit  or  ecclesiastical  business." 
A  low  type  of  piety  has  neither  desire  nor  power  to  extend  itself,  for  tlie 
reason  that  its  energies  are  exhausted  in  maintaining  itself.  'N^'hile  the 
available  strength  of  our  churches  is  represented  by  not  over  one-fifth  of  our 
membership,  there  need  be  little  surprise  that  more  is  not  done  to  evangeli/e 
the  world.  Until  our  hearts  are  mastered  l)y  tlie  law  of  the  cross,  which 
makes  sacrifice  the  measure  of  love,  we  shall  fail  to  meet  the  demands  of  the 
cause  of  missions.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Moravians  may  illustrate  w  hat 
can  be  done  when  the  spirit  of  Christ  lifts  his  people  out  of  self  up  into  him- 
self. Numbering  only  about  13000  members  they  sustain  17  missions,  323 
missionaries  and  1500  native  assistants  at  an  annual  cost  of  $250,000. 
Their  foreign  converts  out-number  their  home  membership  six  to  one.  The 
cause  of  missions  is  the  question  and  duty  of  the  hour;  for  if  this  generation 
does  not  save  the  present  generation  of  heathen,  they  must  perish.  A 
perishing  world  and  the  commission  of  our  Lord  unite  in  emphasizing  this 
duty  as  a  personal  one — We  must  meet  it — 

"  To  falter  is  dislovality, 
To  hesitiite  is  tin." 

Let  not  the  cry — "'who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?" — be  made  an  excuse 
for  inaction — Christ  is  more  than  sufficient  and  His  sufficiency  is  made  ours 
by  the  very  terms  of  the  commission, — "Lo,  I  am  with  you  always,  even  unto 
the  end  of  the  age."  That  commission  is  His  appeal  to  the  faith  and  heroism 
of  a  regenerated  manhood  and  womanhood.  But  we  must  come  into  vital 
relations  with  Christ,  aye!  becrucified  with  Him,  if  that  love  which  hastened 
Him  to  the  cross  becomes  the  mastering  passion  of  our  lives.  If  our  efforts 
be  earnest  our  convictions  must  become  serious.  Our — "thy  kingdom 
come" — must  lack  sincerity  and  hence  faith,  so  long  as  we  refuse  to  do  all  we, 
can  to  advance  His  kingdom.  Difficulties  here,  as  eleswhere,  grow  as  we 
nurse  them,  but  give  way  as  a  resolute  duty  faces  them  with  a  confident 
trust  in  God.  During  the  late  war  a  regiment  was  ordered  to  plant  a  battery 
upon  a  hill-top.  The  order  exposed  them  to  a  galling  fire.  Through  mud 
and  mire  the  guns  were  dragged  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  it  seemed  they 
could  get  them  no  further — when  the  Colonel  shouted  to  them  :  "Men!  these 
guns  must  be  put  in  position,  I've  got  the  General's  orders  in  my  pocket  I" 
Brethren,  be  our  difficulties  what  they  may,  Christ's  gospel  must  be  "preached 
to  every  creature,"  we  have  our  Lord's  orders  in  our  keeping.  We  are  not 
straightened!  The  work  is  His  and  the  resources  are  His.  In  1857  the 
Berlin  Missionary  Society  received  a  grant  of  land  on  the  Vaal  River.  At 
the  time  it  was  regarded  as  worthless.  Fourteen  years  later,  when  the 
treasury  was  exhausted  and  relief  seemed  beyond  hope,  diamond  fields  were 


3?  I.NTER-SE>1INARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

discovered  on  that  land,  and  tlie  pcrcentat^e  [paid  by  the  mines  more  than 
filleJ  the  depleted  treasury. 

II.  The  commission  of  Christ  furni-.hes  His  church  \\  ith  the  motives  and 
nifthods  necessary  for  this  work. 

To  do  the  will  of  Christ  as  expressed  in  his  commission,  we  must  be  held 
in  the  grasp  of  a  stronger  sense  of  duty  than  can  be  caused  by  any  supeficial 
emotion  or  transient  excitement.  Something  of  that  love  that  brought  the 
Christ  to  the  cross  must  constrain  those  who  can  go,  to  go ;  those  who 
cannot  go,  but  can  give,  to  give  ;  and  those  who  can  neither  go  nor  give  to 
pray  for  those  who  can  give  or  can  go.  The  importance  of  this  work  of  the 
church,  will  appear  when  we  remember  that  our  Lord  opened  the  heavens 
and  revisited  this  earth  in  order  to  inagurate  the  missionary  enterprise. 
Personally  he  met  Saul,  near  the  gate  of  Damascus,  conquered  him  and 
called  him  to  bear  His  "name  before  the  Gentiles  and  kings  and  children  of 
Israel."  The  notion  that  the  heathen  do  not  need  the  gospel  is  striking  at 
the  heart  of  an  earnest  consecration  to  the  work  of  foreign  missions.  The 
commission  and  example  of  Christ  has  settled  that  matter.  It  is  not,  it 
cannot  be,  an  open  question.  Neither  an  ungodly  world  nor  an  ease-loving 
church  are  competent  witnesses,  with  which  to  rebut  the  emphatic  utterances 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  the  facts  of  the  life  of  the  Son  of  God.  "  That  the 
world  is  perishing  without  Christ"  says  Pres.  Seelye,  "we  clearly  see  and, 
that  it  can  be  saved  through  Him  and  only  through  Him  is  all  apparent". 
"J?ut",  he  says,  "this  is  not  the  great  motive  that  urges  us  to  efforts  for  the 
world's  conversion.  Sympathy  for  the  world  in  its  wretchedness  and  woe, 
is  a  feeble,  flickering  fire  which  expires  in  its  own  burning".  Brethren,  Christ, 
who  is  the  life,  is  also  the  motive  of  his  church.  His  love  in  us,  rather  than 
ours  for  men  or  even  for  Him,  is  the  only  adequate  motive  for  a  work  such 
as  this.  Faith  in  Him  rather  than  faith  in  means  or  even  in  ourselves  is  the 
secret  of  our  power.  That  love  whose  sacrifice  made  redemption  possible  for 
men  must  constrain  us  if  we  make  it  available  to  men.  The  Christ  within 
us  must  answer  to  the  Christ  above  us  or  we  fail. 

The  methods  of  the  commission  will  be  accepted  as  we  feel  that  men  are 
lost  without  the  gospel.  As  this  conviction  is  weakened,  as  faith  breaks 
with  the  fact  that  there  is  no  basis  or  hope  of  salvation  aside  from  the 
sacrifice  ot  Christ,  every  appeal  for  a  world's  evangelization  becomes  relatively 
powerless.  The  will  of  Christ,  imbedded  in  His  commission,  is  the  supreme 
law  of  His  church,  and  as  the  Holy  Spirit  subjects  us  to  the  mastery  of  that 
will,  it  will  become  the  supreme  motive,  giving  unity  to  our  aims  and  per- 
sistency to  our  purpose.  Hence  the  will  of  Christ  and  not  the  needs  of  men, 
is  the  transcendent  motive  of  our  devotion  and  service.  To  refuse  to  do  Hi< 
will  is  to  renounce  our  discipleship  and  betray  our  loyalty  to  Christ  as  Lord 
and  King.  The  fervent  appeals  to  the  missionary  zeal  and  heroism  of  the 
churches  ;  the  pathetic  recitals,  which  frame  the  most  graphic  pictures  of  the 
self-denial  and  suffering  of  those  on  the  foreign  field  ;  the  hammered  logic 
welding  facts  and  figures  into  reports  ;  the  eloquence  of  sermons  and  other 


rilE   C.KKAT    COMMISSION.  ;<9 

pleas,  equally  slininjjaiul  important,  have  become,  it  seems,  trite  and  com- 
mon place.  At  any  rate  they  fail  to  reuse  the  churches  or  stimulate  Christ- 
ians. As  at  the  first  so  now,  the  appeal,  that  will  call  God's  people  to- 
meet  the  emergencies  of  this  colossal  enterprise,  must  come  from  the  cross 
and  empty  tomb  of  our  crucified  but  risen  Lord.  The  Holy  Spirit  is  the 
spirit  of  missions.  Stirring  appeals  may  reus;  us  for  the  time,  perhaps  hurry- 
some  on  to  the  altar,  and  cause  many  more  to,  at  least,  promise  the  fullest 
consecration,  but  no  sooner  is  the  spell  broken  than  our  ardor  cools  and  our 
promises  are  forgotten.  Let  it  be  burned  into  our  very  souls — that  God s 
work  must  be  done  by  God's  people  and  in  God's  way.  Be  this  commonplace; 
but  realize  its  full  meaning  and  our  family  al'.ars  would  become  altars  of  sacri- 
fice, on  which  parents  would  gladly  dedicate  their  children  to  the  cause 
of  missions  and  their  means  to  support  them  in  that  work. 

Christ's  church  was  missionary  in  its  design  and  must  be  such  in  fact  or  it 
must  perish.  The  growth  of  Christian  character  and  hence  of  church  po'wer 
lies  along  this  line.  Direct  the  energies  of  the  church  into  other  channels,  if 
you  will,  but  understand  that  in  so  far  as  you  succeed  in  this,  you  swing  the 
church  aside  from  the  divine  purpose.  Men  and  money,  an  unfaltering  faith, 
a  tireless  energy  are  all  part  of  Christ's  plan.  But  after  all  what  is  needed, 
and  what  we  must  have  to  make  all  else  effective,  is  the  church  of  God  on  her 
knees,  praying  for  the  Holy  Ghost,  strong  in  the  might  of  that  masterly 
loyalty,  given  with  the  endowment  of  divine  power,  that  hears  her  Lord 
saying  unto  her,  "separate  for  me  those  whom  I  have  calledunto  this- 
work".  The  Church  of  God  templing  the  Holy  Spirit!  this  is  the  divine 
method  for  the  world's  evangelization.  Given  for  one  generation,  the 
church  annimated  and  inspired  by  her  Lord's  commission  ;  given  one  per 
cent,  of  her  present  membership  for  the  field  and  .in  annual  offering  from  the 
rest  of  the  church  of  $15  per  member  for  ten  years  ;  or,  let  each  Christiaiii 
bring  but  a  single  soul  to  Christ  each  year  for  the  next  seven  years,  and  the 
church  would  present  her  risen  I^ord  with  a  redeemed  world.  Is  this  work, 
impossible  ?  The  whole  sum  required  would  not  exceed  the  rum  bill  of" 
America  for  two  years!  Would  to  God  the  church  might  worthily  respond 
to  her  master's  appeal  to  her  faith  and  courage  ! 

How  the  spirit  of  the  commission  sustained  Carey  through  seven  years  of 
toil  before  he  laid  his  first  sheaf  at  the  feet  of  his  Lord  !  How  it  lifted 
Judson  above  difficulties  on  the  field,  and  the  fears  of  his  brethern  at  home, 
through  another  seven  years  of  heroic  toil  and  sublime  devotion  before  he 
brought  a  single  trophy  to  his  Master  !  How  it  strengthened  the  brave  hearts- 
of  that  little  band  in  Western  Africa  through  fourteen  years  of  hope  and  fear 
sickness  and  death,  before  they  had  set  a  single  star  in  the  crown  of  the 
Christ !  How  it  cheered  and  inspired  that  handful  of  heroes  of  the  cross  who> 
laid  on  God's  altar  their  sixteen  years  of  toil  as  the  price  of  the  first  convert 
in  New  Zealand  !  It  was  that  love,  that  throbs  in  the  commission,  th:  t  fired 
the  heart  and  nerved  the  arm  of  Boniface,  as  he  cleared  away  the  sacred  oaks- 
of  Thor  for  the  altars  of  God  ;  that  sent  him  forth  at  the  age  of  75  years  to. 
te>tify.  by  his  martyrdom,  his  love  for  the  degr.ided  heathen  of  P'rieslajid  ! 


40  INTER-SEMINARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

The  spirit  of  the  commission  must  be  the  spirit  of  the  church  if  her  en- 
larged sympathy  embraces  the  world  as  her  parish.  Give  her  this — and  as 
the  chiefs  of  Scotland,  in  times  of  invasion,  went  forth  with  their  uplifted 
"fiery  cross" — so  the  church,  with  their  uplifted  cross  of  Christ,  will  go  forth 
to  win  the  world  for  Him,  or  to  sow  its  plains  and  valleys  with  the  graves 
of  her  sons  and  daughters,  whose  ashes  shall  be  the  seed  of  His  coming 
kingdom.  It  was  the  spirit  of  modern  missions  that  restored  the  Christ  to 
His  throne  in  His  church,  when  that  throne  had  been  ursurped  by  formalism 
and  worldliness  ;  that  quickened,  as  nothing  else  has  done,  an  enlarged  and 
systematic  benevolence,  and  made  us  understand  that  an  evangelical  church 
must  be  an  evangelistic  church,  where  are  found  such  illustrations  of  primi- 
tive piety  as  in  our  mission  churches  ?  Three-fold  larger  returns,  for  the  same 
outlay,  come  from  the  foreign  than  from  the  home  field. 

Dr.  Alden  is  right — "A  personal,  definite  consecration  to  the  work  oi 
missions  is  the  test  question  of  Christian  character,  for  it  will  direct  us  to 
the  best  methods  of  a  generous,  systematic  benevolence,  it  will  everywhere 
broaden  Chrisian  thought  ;  enlarge  Christian  inquiry  ;  deepen  Christian 
pui"pose;  intensify  Christian  zeal;  put  a  new  signification  and  a  new  energy 
into  every  department  of  Christian  work." 

What  answer  has  the  Christian  church  made  to  infidelity,  that  lias  so  smit- 
ten it  dumb,  as  the  miracles  of  modern  missions? 

Admit  all  the  developments  of  modern  piogress  and  speculation  ;  admit  all 
the  advances  of  civilization  and  culture,  no  sul:)stitute  has  been  found  for  the 
old  gospel  which  the  race  will  need  as  long  as  it  needs  the  old  sun  and  the 
old  air.  Blot  this  out,  or  sweep  them  away  and  you  have  wrapped  earth 
with  a  death  no  science  can  alleviate.  Deny  this  old  gospel  to  heathen  lands 
and  you  will  wrap  them  in  a  spiritual  death,  no  advanced  theology  can  avert. 

President  Seeley  says:  '"Commerce,  civilization,  education,  political  institu- 
tions, natural  morality  and  natural  religion,  when  closely  scanned,  reveal  no 
power  to  check  the  downward  tendencies  of  human  nature,  or  lessen  the  cor- 
ruptions under  which  the  world  is  perishing."  "The  Gospel,"  he  adds,  "has 
not  died  out,  nor  lost  aught  of  its  original  power. 

Through  eighteen  centuries  in  which  it  has  been  preached,  it  has  not 
grown  old  nor  weak  nor  weary. 

It  is  working  to-day  in  Christian  and  unchristian  lands  with  as  much  vig- 
or, and  with  as  mighty  results,  as  in  the  great  days  of  its  first  proclama- 
tion. The  triumphs  actually  achieved  in  our  time  by  the  Christian  church 
are  equal  to  any  the  church  has  ever  achieved." 

''Lo,  I  am  with  you  always" — this,  brethren,  is  the  churcli's  warrant  of 
ultimate  success. 

As  the  pearl  diver  may  rise  empty-handed  a  score  of  times,  and  yet  dives 
again  and  again,  not  because  he  is  encouraged  by  his  success,  but  because  he 
knows  there  are  pearls  in  the  sea, — so  our  faith  in  the  promise  and  power  of 
the  Christ,  rather  than  in  any  measure  of  our  success,  will  give  us  the  per- 
sistancy  of  purpose  this  work  demands. 


TIIK   ORKAT    COMMISSION.  4I 

III.  The  commis>ion  of  Christ  furnishes  the  church  w  itli  tiie  cm'otirage- 
iiient  needed  for  this  work. 

The  miracles  of  science,  and  the  parables  of  historj'  are  not  only  illustrat- 
ing the  divine  purpose  in  the  church,  but  they  are  confirmint^  the  truth  of 
that  verse  saying,  that — "for  every  blow  that  the  church  strikes  for  missions, 
God  strikes  ten." 

Electricty,  girdling  the  earth  in  80  seconds,  steam  whirling  a  traveler 
around  the  globe  in  80  days,  commercial  enterprise,  the  products  of  the  press, 
antl  the  mail  service,  these  agencies  are  eliminating  the  last  of  the  her- 
mit nations  from  the  map  of  the  world,  and  by  creating  a  community  of  in- 
terests, are  blending  the  nations  into  one  grand  sisterhood. 

While  the  work  of  missions,  throwing  over  all,  the  sanctifying  power  of 
the  gospel,  and  fulfilling  the  prophetic  "song  of  the  angels,"  that  floated 
over  the  manger-cradle  of  Bethlehem,  makes  that  realized  prophecy — "peace 
on  earth,  good  will  to  men" — the  formula  of  its  benediction. 

(jod  did  not  move,  in  cloud  and  pillar,  more  plainly  before  Israel  than  he 
does  before  His  church  to-day,  in  the  clustering  splendors  of  missionary 
success. 

Thirty-two  years  ago  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union  met  at 
Albany.  It  was  then  thought  that  the  seed  that  had  been  sown  among  the 
Teloogoos  had  perished,  and  it  was  therefore  proposed  to  abandon  the  "Lone 
.Star"  mission. 

As  if  touched  by  the  inspiration  of  a  seer,  Dr.  S.  F.  Smith  wrote  on  that 
occation  these  words— 

"Shine  on,  'Lone  Star',  thy  radiance  bright 

Shall  spread  o'er  all  the  Eastern  sky.  • 

Shine  on,  'Lone  Star,'  th}'  day  draws  near, 

When  none  shall  shine  more  fair  than  thou. 

Thou,  born  and  nursed  in  doubt  and  fear, 

Wilt  glitter  on  Immanuel's  brow." 

That  prophecy  has  become  history.  That  church,  organized  at  Ongole, 
with  8  members  in  1867,  numbered,  ten  years  later,  3,269. 

After  a  suspension  of  missionary  efforts,  in  consequence  of  the  famine,  the 
doors  of  that  church  were  again  opened  in  June  1878,  and  within  fifty  days 
nearly  9,000  rejoicing  converts  were  baptized.  I'entecosts  are  being  repeat- 
ed on  these  mission  fields. 

Look  at  the  map  of  missions  that  lies  before  you  to-day  ;  more  than  20,000 
stations  manned  by  upwards  of  50,000  missionaries,  with  one  million  com- 
municants and  neaidy  3,000,000  adherents,  besides  three-fourths  of  a  million 
of  youth  in  the  12,000  mission-schools.' 

And  yet  statistics  fail  to  report  the  mental,  social,  moral  and  spiritual  up- 
lifting of  the  nations,  the  assimilating  power  of  the  gospel,  in  its  indirect  as 
well  as  in  its  direct  effects,  the  energy  of  the  Holy  Spirit  that  goes  with  tlie 
circulation  of  more  than  148,000,000  copies  of  the  Word  of  God  ;  all  this 
and  much  more  lies  beyond  the  reach  of  statistics. 

Brethren,  the  cross  of  Christ  is  undermining  paganism.     F'ew  new  temples 


42  INTER-SEMINARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

are  building  and  the  old  ones  are  crumbling  into  ruins.  The  splendors  of 
Isaiah's  vision  are  flung  far  and  wide  over  Continents  and  Islands.  The 
commission  of  the 'Christ  is  transforming  the  coftin  of  the  old  life  of  Pagan- 
ism into  a  cradle  for  the  new  life  of  Christianity.  The  command — "go  ye 
into  all  the  world"  is  being  heeded  by  growing  numbers,  and  their  advance 
is  hastened  by  the  cry  of  the  nations,  "Come  over  and  help  us" — while  the 
prayer — "thy  kingdom  come" — is  be^ng  answered  in  the  conquests  of  the 
cross,  that  break  upon  the  ears  of  his  waiting  church,  as  the  foot-falls  of  her 
coming  Christ. 

In  a  meeting  of  the  Wesleyan  Missionary  Society  of-  England  in  1874  a 
returned  missionary  said:  "I  was  recently  the  guest  of  a  missionary  la-other 
in  the  Fiji  Islands.  While  at  tea,  hearing  a  bell,  I  asked  what  it  meant  and 
was  told  it  was  the  call  for  family  worship  on  the  Island.  And  now  listen 
for  the  drum  beat,  and  soon  drum  answered  drum  all  around  those  Islands." 
"There  are,"  said  the  missionary,  "ten  thousand  people  on  these  Islands, 
and  I  know  not  a  single  house  in  which  family  worship  will  not  be  observed 
during  the  next  half-hour." 

Beneath  all  the  surface  agitation  and  apparent  worklliness  of  the  church, 
there  beats  steadily  and  warmly  a  deep,  strong,  spiritual  life  that  is  devoted 
to  the  Christ  and  loyal  to  His  cause — this  He  is  honoring  before  men  and 
angels.     Within  the  church,    God's  true  church  still  lives. 

France  has  grouped  upon  her  palace  walls,  at  Versailles,  the  pictured  story 
of  her  military  glory.  But  oh  !  the  sublimer,  eternal  triumphs,  from  Paul 
to  Luther,  from  Luther  to  Judson,  from  Judson  toClough,  that  shall  decor- 
ate the  palace  walls  of  God ! 

When  Constantine  declared  Christianity  the  religion  of  the  Roman  Em- 
pire, not  more  than  one  in  a  thousand  of  the  population  of  the  Earth  were 
nominal  Christians.  Now  one-fifth  are  such.  When  Protestantism  was 
l:)orn,  Romanism  claimed  69,000,000  adherents.  When  thirteen  centuries  old, 
and  Protestantism  was  but  three  and  one-half  centuries  old,  Romanism  had 
5,000,000  less  adherents  than  Protestantism.  And  to-day  the  dominant  powers 
of  the  world  are  lx)th   Protestant  and  Christian. 

With  a  gospel  that  spheres  the  power  of  God,  with  a  divine  commission 
that  throbs  with  the  spirit  of  missions,  as  a  smitten  harp-string  trembles 
with  music,  with  this  commission  emphasized  by  the  peril  of  perishing 
millions,  with  Our  Lord's  promises,  as  full  of  hope  as  they  are  of  love,  as 
sure  as  the  pillars  of  the  eternal  throne,  and  which  are  being  fulfilled  in  an- 
swers of  prayer,  that  echo  along  the  years  as  the  hammer-blows  of  the  Chrisr 
upon  His  upbuilding  kingdom,  with  such  encouragement,  how  can  our  zeal 
grow  cold,  our  energies  relax,  our  efforts  become  feeble,  or  our  want  of  con- 
secration to  such  a  cause  make  the  humiliation  of  retrenchment  necessary? 
In  God's  cause  retrenchment  is  disaster.  Relief  lies  in  an  enlargement  that 
trusts  Him;  not  in  a  retrenchment  that  distrusts  Him.  "It  sounds  more  cheap 
and  shameful  every  year,"  said  Phillips  Brooks,  "to  make  the  imperfection 
of  our  Christianity  at  home  the  excuse  for  not  doing  our  work  abroad." 


TUK    CKKAT    COMMISSION.  43 

Let  the  idea  obtain,  that  we  need  all  our  religion  at  home  and  hence  can- 
not aftbrd  to  export  any,  and  we  will  adopt  a  creed  of  shameless  falsehood, 
that  will  smite  the  spirituality  of  our  home  churches  with  decay  and  death. 

No,  brethren;  the  work  of  Foreign  Missions  lies  too  near  God's  heart,  for 
us  to  expect  His  blessing  on  any  policy,  that  seeks  relief  by  ^\  ith-holdmg 
what  belongs  to  Him  and  His  cause! 

I  know  of  no  question  before  the  church  to-day  more  practical  than  this. 
How  can  the  growing  wealth  of  our  people  be  made  to  mmister  to  then- 
personal  growth  in  grace,  and  to  the  advancement  of  Christ's  kingdom . 
Merely  an  emotional  devotion,  a  lax  creed,  a  limp  orthodoxy;  a  negative 
theology  can  never  furnish  the  church  with  the  resources  or  encouragement 
required  by  such  a  work  as  His  commission  lays  upon  her.  This  work  re- 
quires a  purpose  that  gathers  up  into  its  strength  the  awfulness  of  Sinai  as 
well  as  the  tenderness  of  Calvary;  that  has  its  loins  girt  with  the  fact  and 
guilt  of  sin,  and  the  need  of  grace,  that  is  nerved  by  an  omnipotence  of  faith 
in  the  sufficiency  of  that  atonement  which  rests  upon  the  vicarious  death  of 
Jesus  Christ;  that  carries,  in  its  uplifted  face,  the  light  of  that  hope  that 
beams  from  the  throne  of  a  living  Saviour;  that  is  energized  and  solemnized 
by  the  realities  of  an  eternal  Heaven  and  Hell,  and  is  made  confident  and 
invincible  by  the  indwelling  witness  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

The  glory  of  God,  in  the  evangelization  of  the  world— this  is  the  thought 
that  crowns  the  missionary  enterprise  with  its   moral  dignity  and  grandeur. 

Christ  is  the  core  and  goal  of  this  work  of  the  church.  As  she  rises  to 
Him,  the  world  grows  smaller.  As  His  spirit  possesses  her,  the  motto  of 
our  missionary  banners— "the  %vorld  for  Christ"— will  become  more  than 
mere  rhetoric,    it  will  be  the  battle-cry  of  an  aggressive  church. 

Encouraging  as  may  be  the  signs  of  our  Lord's  coming,  still,  not  by  these 
are  we  to  guide  our  movements  for  the  world's  conquest  but  by  His  com- 
mission. In  obedience  to  this,  the  sacramental  hosts  of  God's  elect  are  on 
their  march  round  the  earth. 

Our  fathers— whose  fidelity  to  the  commission  has  kept  the  fire  flaming  on 
the  missionary  altars  of  our  hearts  and  churches, — are  growing  old  or  have 
passed  to  their  reward.  Our  honored  standard-bearers  on  the  foreign 
field— whose  self-denial  has  thrilled  Christendom  and  made  their  names  the 
synonyms  of  a  Pauline  heroism — are  falling,  decorated  with  the  church's 
love  and  the  badges  of  God's  approval. 

Let  the  ranks  be  filled !  close  up  !  and  as  you,  who  are  younger,  step  forth 
to  take  the  places  of  those  who  are  too  old  for  service — say  to  them,  as  the 
youth  of  Greece  said  to  their  sires,  whom  age  had  unfitted  for  battle  — 

'■Though  your  youthful  streng-th  departs. 
With  your  children  it  endures: 
In  our  arms  and  in  our  hearts 
I.ives  the  valor  that  was  yours." 

Would  to  God  the  faith,  that  crowns  the  few  courageous  Calebs  of  our 
Israel,  as  the  light  crowns  the  hill-tops,    might  quicken  all  our  churches. 


-44  INTER-SEMINARY  MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

'  Christ  has  said  it — every  knee  shall  bow  and  every  tongue  shall  confess 
His  Lordship,  to  the  glory  of  the  Father.  All  hail,  thou  exalted  and  com- 
ing Chi-ist!  Holy  Spirit  gird  thy  church  for  the  conflict!  Uphold  her 
hands  until  the  song  of  the  redeemed  on  earth  shall  be  answered  back  by  the 
chorus  of  the  glorified  !  "Lift  up  your  heads,  oh  ye  gates,  and  be  ye  lifted  up 
ye  everlasting  doors,  and  the  King  of  Glory  shall  come  in."  Hark!  the 
shout  of  the  watchmen  on  the  mountains — "The  morning  cometh!  "  Yes, 
brethren,  it  is  coming!  Coming  in  the  victories  of  truth;  coming  in  the  lift- 
ing shadows,  shattered  by  the  light  flung  from  the  cross  of  the  crucified,  and 
from  the  throne  of  the  ascended  Christ;  coming  in  the  victorious  march  of  a 
conquering  church;  coming  in  the  rising  tides  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord, 
which  is  to  fill  the  earth  as  the  waters  fill  the  sea;  coming  in  the  purposes 
of  God! 

It  was  early  morning  as  a  tourist  stood  on  the  top  of  Rifflebury,  that  lifts 
its  head  into  the  cloulds  above  the  valley  of  Zermat.  "The  stars  were  shin- 
ing with  a  lustre  that  grew  dimmer  and  dimmer  in  the  light  from  the  rising 
sun.  In  the  valley,  there  was  darkness  and  silence,  broken  only  by  the 
sounds  of  waterfalls.  Suddenly  a  lofty  peak  was  illuminated,  then  one  by 
one,  the  whole  amphitheatre  of  the  mountains  was  kindled  by  the  king  of 
day.  And,  as  he  rose,  his  light  fell  far  and  wide,  until  the  shadows  were 
■  chased  from  the  valley  and  the  night  was  gone."  Lo,  as  our  eyes  sweep  the 
world-wide  field  of  the  church,  behold!  "The  morning  light  is  breaking!  " 
The  "sun  of  righteousness"  is  vising!  See,  his  light  is  tipping  with  splendor 
the  heights  of  Faith !  See,  the  shadowed  skies  are  being  transformed  into 
russet  and  purple  and  splendor,  and  the  clouds,  we  have  so  much  dreaded, 
are  being  transformed  into  piles  of  crimson  and  gold,  glorious  as  the  descend- 
ing thrones  of  the  four  and  twenty  elders !  The  darkness  that  has  brooded 
over  pagan  lands  is  being  scattered,  and  thus  is  heralded  a  new  earth,  flood- 
ed by  the  falling  light  from  the  new  Heavens. 

Jesus  Christ  has  clasped  the  energy  of  His  cross  in  this  commission,  and 
He  has  given  it  to  His  church,  as  her  standard  to  be  displayed  because  of 
the  truth.    Then— 

"Fling  out  that  banner,  let  it  float, 
Sea-ward  and  ^ky-ward,  far  and  wide: 
Our  only  glory  is  the  cross. 
Our  only  hope  the  Crucified." 


MISSION    WORK    A>rON(;    THE    INDIANS.  45 


Mission  Work  Among  the  Indians. 

Tapkr  by  E.  R.  Chadwick,  Bates  Theological  Seminary, 
Lewiston,  Maine. 

It  may  be  a  surprise  to  some  to  be  told  that  there  are  as  many  Indians  in 
America  to-day  as  when  Columbus  discovered  the  continent.  Such  howev- 
er is  the  testimony  of  army  officers,  missionaries  and  reports  of  the  Indian 
Bureau. 

Major  Clark  says,  "we  must  now  abandon  the  usual  theory  that  our  In- 
dian population  is  destined  to  diminish  and  finally  disappear." 

Rev.  Dr.  Riggs  says  that  "the  facts  do  not  justify  the  belief  that  the  In- 
dians are  a  vanishing  race."  Rev.  ]\Ir.  Williamson,  with  forty  years  ex- 
perience among  them  as  a  missionary,  says  that  "the  vision  of  the  last  In- 
dian jumping  into  eternity  toward  the  setting  sun  is  a  poet's  dream  of  the 
distant  future." 

So  eminent  an  authority  as  Senator  Dawes  says  that  "the  number  of 
Indians  in  this  country  is  about  what  it  was  when  our  fathers  landed  at 
Plymouth  Rock."  While  Major  Powell  is  of  the  opinion  that  on  the  whole 
the  Indians  are  slowly  increasing,  or  at  least  not  diminishing  in  numbers. 

Statistics  show  that  some  of  the  tribes  are  rapidly  increasing.  The 
Cherokees  have  doubled  within  the  present  century.  The  Sioux  tribes,  of 
Dakota,  have  increased  60  per  cent,  during  the  last  forty  years.  While  the 
Navajoes  have  doubled  in  fifteen  years.  The  whole  number  of  Indian  births 
reported  for  the  last  five  years  exceeds  the  number  of  deaths  by  nearly  20 
per  cent. 

It  is  evident  therefore  that  the  Indians  are  with  us  to  stay.  If  this  be 
true,  the  question  of  our  missionary  duty  toward  them  becomes  a  pertinent 
one.  It  is  with  the  purpose  of  urging  this  duty  upon  the  attention  of  this 
missionary  conference  that  this  paper  has  been  prepared. 

I.  The  Indians  have  a  claim  upon  us  for  Christian  missions,  as  a  part  ol- 
the  great  heathen  world.  Many  of  these  tribes  are  as  benighted  as  the 
natives  of  Africa.  Says  Senator  Vest,  "here  are  a  people  who  have  as  little 
knowledge  of  our  Saviour  as  any  heathern  on  the  earth."  In  carrying  the 
gospel  to  the  Indians  we  are  carrying  it  to  the  pagans,  as  much  as  though 
they  lived  in  the  jungles  of  Africa.  The  great  mission  field  is  the  world. 
Christ's  command  to  go  into  all  this  field  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
man,  admits  of  no  exception.  It  includes  the  Indian  as  well  as  the  Hindu, 
the  Japanese,  or  the  South  Sea  Islander.  Our  missionary  spirit  then  must 
be  broad  enough  to  embrace  the  whole  heathen  race.  The  doctrine  of  the 
Fatherhood  of  God  and  the  brotherhood  of  man  places  the  Indian  on  an 
equality  with  other  heathen  as  the  object  of  our  missionary  labor.      Indian 


46  '  INTER-SEMINAKY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

missions  therefore  deserve  at  least  equal  attention  with  foreign  missions  as  a 
part  of  this  our  great  work  of  canvassing  the  heathen  world. 

IT.  But  the  Indians  are  more  to  us  than  a  part  of  the  great  heathen 
world.  They  are  our  heathen,  in  our  own  land,  and  claim  by  right  our  first 
missionary  effort.  Says  Bishop  Hare,  "the  claim  ot  any  people  sitting  in 
heathen  darkness  upon  those  who  enjoy  the  light  is  very  sacred.  But  these 
Indians  are  heathen  people  right  at  our  doors.  They  lie  in  helpless  igno- 
rance within  a  few  hours  by  rail  of  Chiistians  rich  in  all  that  makes  life  hap- 
py now  and  full  of  promise  hereafter."  If  we,  as  a  Christian  people  are 
debtors  to  the  heathen  beyond  the  sea,  how  much  greater  is  our  obligation 
to  these  pagans  in  our  own  land.  Think  of  it  a  moment,  here  are  a  quarter 
of  a  million  Indians  in  a  nation  of  sixty  million  Christians.  During  the  two 
and  a  half  centuries  since  Eliot  and  Mayhew  commenced  to  labor  among 
them  we  have  converted  less  than  one-fifth  of  this  people.  After  living  250 
years  in  this  gospel  land  more  .than  four-fifthslof  them  are  still  benighted 
heathen,  250  years  of  contact  with  our  boasted  Christian  civihzation  and 
two-thirds  of  them  unreclaimed  savages.  Here  indeed  is  a  field  for  foreign 
missions.  Is  it  not  our  sacred  duty  to  crush  out  this  idolatry  among  our 
own  people  before  undertaking  the  same  work  in  other  lands?  Allowing  all 
that  may  be  said  of  our  duty  to  the  heathen  abroad,  it  is  still  true  that  our 
o-reater  duty  is  to  the  pagans  at  home.  The  Indian  field  there  is  our  mis- 
sion field.  No  other  nation  has  a  duty  or  even  a  right  here.  No  other 
field  has  an  equal  claim  upon  us. 

III.  But  the  Indians  appeal  to  us  not  only  as  a  benighted  and  neglected 
but  also  as  an  injured  race.  Our  Indian  record  is  one  of  the  most  disgrace- 
ful chapters  in  our  country's  history.  Falsehood,  robbery,  and  murder  are 
written  on  every  page.  Injustice,  cruelty  and  fraud  have  for  more  than  three 
centuries  marked  our  treatment  of  the  Indians.  Our  goverment  has  reckless- 
ly broken  more  than  three  hundred  solemn  treaties.  To  our  sliame  it  is 
said  that  while  the  Indians  were  never  the  first  to  break  a  treaty,  the  whites 
have  rarely  kept  one.  Our  Indian  policy  has  been  one  of  extermination. 
Senator  Dawes  says  "we  have  hunted  the  Indian  with  our  arms,  we  have 
spent  millions  of  dollars  in  the  vain  endeavor  to  slay  him."  The  Indian 
Commissioner  estimates  that  it  has  cost  us  on  an  average  a  million  dollars 
and  the  lives  of  twenty-five  white  men  to  kill  an  Indian.  General  Crook 
asserts  that  injustice  has  been  the  source  of  nearly  every  Indian  war,  ^^•hile 
Bishop  Whipple  goes  so  far  as  to  charge  that  we  have  been  guilty  of  atroci- 
ties, which  would  have  disgraced  the  tribes  of  Central  Africa. 

This  at  least  is  true,  that  we  have  taken  from  the  Indian,  country,  home, 
means  of  substance,  everything  which  was  his  by  right  ofposession.  Our 
goyernment  has  shut  him  upon  reservations,  then  driven  him  from  them, 
stolen  his  lands,  robbed  him  of  his  ammities,  if  it  has  not  even  taken  his 
life.  At  the  same  time  we  have  introduced  among  the  Indians  the  worst 
elements  of  our  civilization,  instead  of  being  to  them  a  teacher  of  righteous- 
ness we  have  been  a  teacher  of  iniquity.  We  have  taught  them  all  the  white 


MISSION    WORK    AMONC     1111      INDIANS.  47 

man's  vices  and  few  of  his  \irtues.  \\'e  liavc  rohhcd  the  Intliau  of  liis  man- 
hood through  llic  white  man's  whiskey  antl  licentiousness,  now  the  Indians 
deadliest  foes.  Even  allowing  that  the  "noble  red  man"  was  at  best  only  a 
savage,  the  fact  remains  that  he  has  become  still  more  savage  and  degrad- 
ed through  contact  with  the  white  race.  In  view  of  this  record  then,  writ- 
ten against  us  in  the  great  book  of  God's  remembrances,  does  it  not  become 
our  solemn  duty  to  christianize  these  Indian  tribes.  Our  sense  of  justice,  if 
not  our  spirit  of  Christianity  leaves  us  no  other  alternative. 

IV.  It  is  our  duty  to  christianize  the  Indians,  to  prepare  them  for  tlie 
duties  of  citizenship  to  which  we  have  invited  them.  Senator  Dawes  Sever- 
alty Bill  passed  by  the  last  Congress  opens  the  door  of  citizenship  to  all 
Indians  who  accept  land  in  severalty  and  adopt  civilized  habits.  Through 
this  measure  our  goverment  has  now  for  the  first  time  recognized  the  In- 
dian as  a  man.  The  tribal  relation  will  be  broken  up;  and  soon  every  In- 
dian in  the  country  will  become  an  American  citizen,  assuming  all  the  rights, 
privileges,  and  duties  appertaining  thereto.  But  this  measure  has  iwl 
settled  the  Indian  problem.  It  has  only  made  such  a  settlement  possible. 
We  have  passed  the  law  by  which  the  Indian  becomes  a  citizen.  It  is  now 
for  us  to  say  what  sort  of  a  citizen  he  shall  be.  Says  Senator  Dawes,  "one 
Or  the  other  is  now  the  alternative.  Either  the  Indian  is  to  become  a  vaga- 
bond about  our  streets,  begging  from  door  to  door  and  plundering  the  peo- 
ple, or  he  is  to  be  taken  up  and  made  a  man  among  us,  a  useful  and  influen- 
tial citizen."  We  must  now  either  support  a  pauper  population  of  a  quarter 
of  a  million  Indians,  idle,  vicious,  criminal,  or  make  of  them  intelligent,  self- 
supporting,  and  above  all  Christian  citizens.  This  then  is  the  Indian  problem 
of  the  present, — how  to  make  good  citizens  out  of  these  ignorant  savages. 
This  is  the  question  which  all  friends  of  Indian  progress  are  now  earnestly 
discussing.  While  manual  training  and  education  are  to  be  potent  factors 
in  the  elevation  of  the  Indian,  religion  is  of  vital  importance.The  Indian's 
civilization  must  be  a  work  of  the  heart  as  well  as  of  the  hand  and  of  the 
head.  He  can  become  a  good  citizen  only  when  he  has  felt  the  renewin"' 
influence  of  the  Christian  religion.  Such  is  the  conclusion  of  those  who  have 
thoroughly  studied  the  Indian  problem.  Listen  to  this  testimonv,  Presi- 
d:;nt  Cleveland:  "Without  christian  missions  the  work  of  elevating  the  In- 
dians will  be  a  failure."  Secretary  Lamar:  *'The  Christian  religion  is  the 
chief  instrumentality  for  the  elevation  of  the  red  race."  Indian  Commission- 
ers Price  and  Atkins  have  taken  the  same  ground.  Dr.  Rhodes  says,  "Christ- 
ianity alone  can  prepare  this  race  for  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  citi- 
zenship." President  Magill,  at  the  recent  Lake  Mahonk  Indian  Conference, 
said,  "The  Indian  can  be  prepared  for  citizenship  only  by  changino-  his 
moral  and  spiritual  nature."  General  Armstrong,  of  Hampton  Indian  School, 
who  speaks  from  the  experience  of  many  years  in  the  work  of  elevating  the 
Indians,  says  that  "the  Christian  churches  of  our  land  are  the  hope  of  the 
red  race."  A  specialist  on  the  Indian  problem  like  Herbert  Welch  says,  that 
"the  first  great  line  of  effort  for  the  Indian  is  through  the  church  of  Christ." 
Indian  Agents  are  supposed  to  look  at  the  subject   of  Indian  missions  from 


4S  INTER-SEMINARY  MISSIONARY  ALLIANCE. 

as  practical  a  point  of  view  as  any  class  of  men.  This  is  what  one  says^ 
"Christian  truth  brought  to  bear  practically  on  the  character  is  the  only  way 
by  which  this  people  can  be  reclaimed."  Another  says,  "the  Bible  and 
Christian  teaching  is  the  only  power  that  can  make  the  Indian  a  free  man 
and  a  good  citizen." 

This  then  is  to  be  the  noble  mission  of  the  church  to  carry  to  this  people 
the  light  of  the  gospel,  and  so  introduce  this  all-important  element  into  their 
civilization."  In  the  words  of  Senator  Dawes,  "If  earnest  energetic  Christ- 
ian work  shall  be  equal  to  the  opportunity  the  Indian  of  history  and  poetry, 
of  the  tomahawk  and  the  scalping  knife,  will  disappear  in  the  self-supporting 
American  citizen."     A  grand  work  for  the  Christian  church  to  be  engaged  in. 

The  question  is  often  raised,  "do  Indian  missions  pay?  "  It  is  based  on  a 
belief  more  or  less  general  that  Indian  missions  ai-e  less  remunerative  than 
other  mission  fields,  that  they  make  a  less  satisfactory  return  for  the  out- 
lay of  time  and  money. 

I.  There  is  ample  testimony  from  competent  witnesses  bearing  on  this 
point.  Dr.  Bartlett,  "seldom  have  earlier  fruits  been*  reaped  than  in  Indian 
missions."  Dr.  Rhodes,  "There  is  not  a  field  of  missionary  enterprise  which 
yields  larger  numerical  returns  than  that  of  our  native  tribes."  Bishop 
Whipple,  "Indian  missions  are  the  most  remunerative  of  any  missions 
among  heathen  people."  A  missionary  writes,  "No  work  in  the  world  is 
more  encouraging."  A  report  of  the  American  Board,  "No  missions  to  the 
heathen  since  the  apostolic  age  have  been  more  successful  than  those  to  the 
American  aborigines."  Another  report,  *'There  are  no  heathen  more  access- 
able  or  more  quickly  influenced  by  the  gospel  than  the  Indians."  Again, 
"Nowhere  have  Christian  missions  been  more  successful  than  among  the 
North  American  Indians."     Testimony  could  not  be  more  positive. 

II.  In  support  of  their  assertions  let  us  notice  some  of  the  definite  results 
of  Indian  mission  work.  In  the  sixteenth  century  the  Catholic  missions  of 
New  Mexico,  baptized  35000  Indians  in  fifty  years.  Eliot,  the  first  mis- 
sionary to  the  Indians  of  New  England  gathered  1400  praying  Indians  into 
twenty-four  congregations.  Mayhew  during  the  same  century  reclaimed 
more  than  twice  that  number.  Bishop  Hare,  of  Dakota,  has  confirmed  1300 
Indians  during  his  episcopacy.  One  whole  tribe  is  reported  as  converted  by 
a  single  missionary.  Seventy  years  ago  missionaries  commenced  to  labor 
among  the  wild  blanket  Indians  of  Alabama  and  Georgia.  To-day  they  are 
known  as  the  five  civilized  tribes  of  Indian  Territory.  They  have  seven 
newspapers,  two  hundred  churches,  an  equal  number  of  ministers,  14000 
church  members,  Sunday  schools,  mission  schools,  seminaries,  and  even  a 
University.  They  have  a  written  constitution,  a  well  organized  government, 
a  Supreme  Court,  and  a  public  school  system,  all  modeled  after  those  of 
the  United  States.  There  are  no  blanket  Indians  and  no  paupers  among 
them.  They  read  the  same  newspapers  and  listen  to  the  same  preaching  as 
the  citizens  of  the  States. 

In  1S57  William  Dunkan  commenced  to  labor  among  2500  of  the  most 
Ijlood  thirsty    savages    of   British  Columbia,    a  tribe  sunk   lower   than  any 


MISSION   WORK   AMONG   THE   INDIANS.  49 

Other  in  wretchedness  and  crime.  Now  over  a  thousand  are  gathered  about 
him,  hving  in  well  built  cottages,  with  the  largest  church  ediface  north  of 
San  Francisco.  The  Sabbath  is  kept,  all  the  children  are  in  school,  every 
citizen  in  health  attends  divine  worship,  intoxicating  drink  is  not  allowed  in 
the  community.  It  is  a  prosperous  well-ordered  Christian  settlement,  a 
wonderful  triumph  of  the  Christian  religion. 

The  first  missionaries  to  the  Dakotas  found  them  in  the  lowest  stages  of 
heathenism.  Now  Bishop  Hare  says,  "a  vast  and  once  desolate  country  is 
dotted  over  with  neat  churches  and  chapels.  No  recess  in  the  wilderness  is 
so  retired  that  you  may  not  find  a  little  chapel  in  it."  Six  hundred  of  these 
f)eople  became  Christians  in  a  few  months. 

Twenty  years  ago  the  Chippewas,  now  at  White  Earth  Reservation,  were 
described  as  idle  filthy  drunken  savages,  lost  to  all  sence  of  shame  and 
honor.  A  writer  who  visited  them  at  that  time  was  fully  convinced  that 
any  effort  to  elevate  them  would  prove  a  total  failure.  Now  Bishop  Whip- 
ple says,  "they  are  a  civilized,  self-supporting,  peaceful -Christian  people." 
Of  the  Episcopal  mission  among  them  a  report  says,  "where  once  was  seen 
only  the  fantastic  gear  of  the  savage,  and  the  only  assemblies  were  those  for 
the  hideous  orgies  of  heathen  dances,  twenty-five  congregations  of  decently 
dressed  worshippers  gather  every  Sunday  and  offer  in  prayers  and  spiritual 
songs  their  homage  to  almighty  God."  Fifty  years  ago  the  Sioux,  now 
gathered  at  Santee  and  Sissiton,  in  Christian  communities,  with  homes  and 
schools  and  churches,  were  savage  hordes  roaming  through  the  northwest 
as  wild  as  the  wildest. 

The  delegates  to  a  recent  convention  of  thirty-six  Episcopal  churches  of 
Sioux  Indians  were  all  twelve  years  before  wild  savages.  Through  mis- 
sionary labor  the  "blood-thirsty"  Modocs  have  put  away  idolatry,  adopted 
civilized  habits,  and  embraced  the  Christian  religion.  More  than  40,000 
Indians  are  members  of  Christian  churches.  We  can  not  shut  our  eyes  to 
these  facts,  wild  savage  tribes,  even  the  most  fierce  and  lawless,  have  been 
tamed  and  gathered  into  orderly  Christian  communities  through  the  preach- 
ing of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  It  is  no  longer  a  question  if  Indian  missions  pay. 
Let  us  n»tice  in  the  next  place  some  of  the  important  features  of  the  In- 
dian work. 

I.  Its  progress  for  the  past  year.  All  but  two  of  the  twelve  Protestant 
missionary  societies  laboring  in  this  field  report  the  year's  progress  as  most 
hopeful  and  inspiring.  The  general  tone  of  the  reports  may  be  gathered 
from  such  extracts  as  these:  "The  year  has  been  specially  fruitful;"  "The 
results  have  been  exceedingly  gratifying;"  "The  work  has  been  highly 
prospered;"  "The  details  of  progress  have  been  cheering."  One  missionary 
writes,  "The  work  for  the  past  year  has  been  very  encouraging."  Another, 
"I  have  been  impressed  with  the  progress  of  these  Indians  for  the  past 
year." 

The  Society  of  Friends  report  more  than  one  hundred  conversions  to  the 
Christian  faith  in  the  school^  under  their  care.     The  Presbyterians  have 


50  INTER-SEMINARY  MISSIONARY  ALLIANCE. 

had  more  additions  to  the  Indian  churches  than  ever  before.  The  Episco- 
palians have  built  eight  new  churches  and  opened  ten  new  stations  among  the 
Dakotas.  A  wonderful  work  of  God's  spirit  is  reported  at  the  Seneca  mis- 
sion, Devils  Lake  agency,  Cherokee  station  and  other  points.  Some  of  the 
missions  report  an  unprecedented  growth  during  the  year. 

II.  An  encouraging  feature  of  the  Indian  work  is  the  interest  taken  in  it 
by  the  native  Christians.  Their  missionary  spirit  might  well  put  to  shame 
many  churches  of  white  Christians.  The  Dakota  Indian  churches  of  the 
Congregational  and  Presbyterian  missions  support  three  native  missionaries. 
They  contribute  for  this  work  as  large  an  average  per  member  as  the  whole 
Presbyterian  church  gives  to  foreign  missions.  The  Creek,  Choctaw  and 
Chickasaw  native  churches  have  united  to  support  a  missionary  among  the 
wild  tribes.  Both  the  Baptist  and  the  Episcopal  Boards  report  a  new  mis- 
sionary spirit  in  the  native  churches.  Bishop  Hare  says,  that  the  offerings 
of  the  Indian  churches  under  his  care  are  four  times  what  they  were  six 
years  ago.  An  Indian  church  of  fifty  members  gave  for  home  and  foreign 
missions  last  year  $112.00,  two  dollars  and  a  quarter  per  member,  accord- 
ing to  the  last  official  report.  The  Brooklyn  Tabernacle  church  of  4,020 
members  gave  for  missions  $137.00,  or  three  cents  per  member.  The  Sioux 
Indians,  of  Dakota,  have  organized  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations 
and  Woman's  Missionary  Societies.  Seventeen  ordained  native  ministers 
are  laboring  in  this  Dakota  field.  The  Methodists  have  forty  native  preach- 
ers in  Indian  Territory.  One-half  of  the  missionaries  of  the  Presbyterian 
Foreign  Board  are  native  Indians. 

More  than  two  hundred  native  workers  are  laboring  among  the  different 
missions.  The  American  Association  says  of  these  native  helpers,  "They 
are  noble,  selfsacrificing  workers,  doing  better  all  the  time."  Seventeen 
students  are  studying  for  the  ministry  at  Muscogee,  Indian  Territory;  twen- 
ty more  are  at  Santee  Normal  School.  Among  the  Dakotas  so  many  young 
men  are  anxious  to  enter  the  ministry  that  the  Presbyterians  call  for  a  train- 
ing school  to  educate  native  workers.  Bishop  Hare  says  of  these  young 
men,  "They  are  sterling  manly  fellows,  in  love  with  their  prospection 
vocation." 

III.  The  outlook,  its  dark  side.  Indifference  on  the  part  of  the  home 
churches  is  the  most  discouraging  feature  of  the  outlook.  Although  this  in- 
difference is  being  gradually  overcome,  it  is  still  far  too  general.  A  mis- 
sionary expresses  it  mildly  when  he  writes  that  "the  churches  of  this  coun- 
try are  meeting  their  religious  obligations  to  our  Indian  tribes  very  inade- 
quately." He  might  have  added  that  many  of  them  are  not  meeting  it  at 
all.  Four-fifths  of  our  churches  have  no  real  interest  in  the  cause  of  Indian 
missions.  We  are  turning  our  missionary  efforts  more  and  more  in  the  di- 
rection of  the  foreign  field.  While  we  have  been  enlarging  our  borders 
abroad,  and  sending  needed  recruits  to  the  foreign  missions,  we  have  sadly 
neglected  our  own  heathen  field.  The  missionary  force  among  the  Indians 
is  but  little  larger  than  it  was  ten  years  ago.     Some  of  the  societies  have 


MISSION    WORK    AMONG   THE    INDIANS.  51 

sent  out  no  new  laborers,  while  others  have  with-drawn  those  already  in 
the  field. 

Again  the  recent  order  of  the  Indian  Commissioner  forbidding  mission- 
aries to  teach  in  the  Indian  language  may  seriously  retard  the  work.  This 
order  shuts  out  the  Indian  Bible  from  all  mission  schools,  and  closes  all  out- 
stations  taught  by  native  teachers  in  their  own  tongue.  It  will  suspend 
eighteen  schools  and  stations  under  the  American  Association,  and  an  equal 
number  under  the  Episcopal  and  Presbyterian  Boards.  If  strictly  enforced 
it  will  close  every  school  for  training  native  preachers  and  teachers  in  the 
vernacular  of  their  people.  This  be  it  remembered  would  shut  out  the  gospel 
from  more  than  half  the  Indians  now  living,  who  can  never  hear  it  except 
through  their  own  language  and  from  their  own  preachers.  It  is  to  be 
hoped  however  that  this  order  may  be  so  interpreted  as  not  to  cripple  this 
noble  work. 

As  we  turn  towg,rd  the  field  itself  the  outlook  assumes  a  brighter  aspect. 
One  missionary  writes,  "The  out-look  in  the  field  is  everywhere  encourag- 
ing." Again,  "The  outlying  missionary  fields  are  full  of  promise."  Anoth- 
er missionary,  "The  people  are  eagar  for  Christian  knowledge."  The  mis- 
sionary reports  are  all  to  the  effect  that  the  out-look  for  aggressive  work 
■was  never  more  hopeful.  Wherever  the  missionaries  go  and  preach  the  gos- 
pel, they  find  the  people  ready  to  hear  and  accept  the  truth  in  Christ.  Dr. 
Jackson  says  of  the  Indians  of  Alaska,  "Among  no  people  have  I  seen  such 
a  hungering  and  thirsting  for  the  gospel."  A  missionary  to  the  Peigans 
formerly  noted  for  thier  cruelty  and  treachery  says,  "I  was  met  by  the 
pleading  of  pitiful  faces,  eagar  eyes,  and  out-stretched  hands." 

IV.  The  field,  let  us  examine  it  for  a  moment.  Here  are  140  mission- 
aries occupying  a  field  more  than  three  times  as  large  as  all  New  England, 
140  out  of  the  80,000  Protestant  clergymen  in  the  United  States,  hundreds 
of  whom  are  without  a  field  of  labor.  Two-thirds  of  this  field  is  practically 
unoccupied.  Much  of  it  is  simply  ignored,  while  no  part  of  it  is  properly 
cultivated.  Three-fourths  of  the  Indians  still  untouched  by  the  spirit  of 
Christianity.  Sixty  tribes  without  a  missionary.  Tens  of  thousands  of  In- 
<iians  waiting  for  the  Christian  religion.  Many  tribes  earnestly  appealing  to 
us  for  missionary  work.  17.000  Navajos  in  New  Mexico  sitting  in  heathen 
darkness.  5,000  Apaches  waiting  for  the  light  of  the  gospel.  More  than 
half  of  the  40,000  Dakotas  still  unchanged  savages.  Thousands  of  heathen 
in  Indian  Territory  among  whom  no  work  is  being  done.  Hundreds  of 
Utes  the  most  degraded  of  savages.  More  than  half  of  the  Onondagas  in 
New  York  still  pagans.  20,000  Indians  in  Alaska  who  never  heard  of  the 
Christian  religion.  Here  indeed  is  a  field  for  missionary  work.  Every- 
where there  is  an  open  door  through  which  we  are  not  only  invited  but 
urged  to  enter. 

V,  The  call:  It  comes  from  every  quarter.  The  missionary  societies  are 
calling  for  men  and  means.  The  American  Association  of  Congregational 
churches,  the  Presbyterian  and  Episcopal  Boards  all  unite  in  an  earnest  ap- 
peal  for  help.     The  Methodist  can  not  enter  open  and  inviting  fields  for 


52  INTER-SEMINARY  MISSIONARY   ALLIANCE. 

want  of  men  and  money.  The  Baptists  with  only  three  missionary  stations 
can  not  find  suitable  laborers  for  the  Indian  work.  The  Presbyterian  Home 
Mission  Board  calls  for  two  hundred  new  missionaries,  a  part  of  them  for 
this  Indian  missions.  Some  of  the  societies  find  it  difficult  to  fill  even 
vacancies.  If  we  turn  to  the  field  itself  the  same  appeal  meets  us.  The  cry 
for  enlargement  comes  from  every  station.  Bishop  Hare  says  he  could 
op)en  twenty  new  missions  within  a  year,  had  he  the  men  for  the  work,  and 
its  means  to  support  them.  Bishop  Pierce  says  he  can  make  no  progress  in 
Indian  Territory  simply  for  want  of  help.  Bishop  Walker  sounds  the  same 
call  from  Northern  Dakota.  Our  missionary  writes  from  Dakota,  "We 
need  more  earnest,  devoted,  well  furnished  men."  Another  from  New 
Mexico,  '"Send  us  more  help."  An  Indian  Agent,  "Send  us  at  least  one  or 
two  missionaries."  Medical  missionaries  are  wanted.  Christian  schools  and 
Christian  teachers  are  called  for.  But  the  appeal  to  touch  the  heart  comes 
from  their  heathen  themselves,  a  cry,  says  one,  "as  pitiful  and  as  hopeless 
as  any  that  ever  startled  Christian  ears  from  the  lands  beyond  the  sea."  We 
have  not  to  listen  to  catch  from  abroad  the  Macedonian  cry  for  help.  It 
has  gone  up  fi-om  our  own  land,  from  these  heathen  at  our  very  doors.  It 
rings  in  our  ears  an  exceeding  bitter  cry  for  light  in  this  land,  the  very  home 
of  Christian  enlightenment.  "When  shall  this  people  sitting  in  darkness  and 
the  shadow  of  death  see  the  great  light."  This  question  the  Christian  young 
men  of  America  must  answer. 

Before  this  convention  closes  a  ringing  appeal  will  be  made  for  volunteers 
for  its  foreign  fields,  and  may  it  meet  with  a  hearty  response.  The  demand 
for  reenforcements  abroad  is  imperative.  But  how  are  we  to  treat  this  call 
from  the  Indian  field,  our  own  heathen  field?  These  over-worked  toilers 
among  the  Indians  are  looking  to  this  convention  for  recruits.  They  have 
been  praying  and  praying  earnestly  that  among  these  hundreds  of  young 
men,  called  of  God  to  preach  the  gospel,  a  few  at  least  might  be  found  called 
to  preach  it  to  these  perishing  Indians.  Are  they  to  be  dissapointed?  Shall 
they  have  called  in  vain?  or  will  their  appeal  awaken  a  response  in  some 
heart?  Shall  the  appeal  being  made  for  the  foreign  field  be  allowed  to  include 
the  Indian  field,  as  by  right  it  ought  to  do?  We  can  not  all  go  to  the 
foreign  field,  we  can  not  all  enter  even  the  Indian  field,  but  some  of  us  can 
and  it  may  be  must.  The  field  is  open  to  us.  The  harvest  is  waiting  to  be 
gathered,  but  its  reapers  are  very  few.  The  Master  himself  is  calling  for 
more  laborers.  Who  like  God's  messenger  of  old  is  ready  to  respond,  "Here 
am  I,  send  me." 

E.  R.  Chad  WICK. 


Discussion. 


Mr.  Clark,  of  Alexandria:  Among  the  Dakotas,   it  is  said   there  isn't  a 
fortune  made,  not  founded  on  an  Indian  steal. 


MISSION    WORK    AMONG   THE    INDIANS.  53 

J.  B.  RoDGERS,  of  Auburn:  Christianity,  not  civilization,  is  the  first  thing 
in  foreign  missions.  We  have  a  good  illustration  of  this  in  mission  work 
among  the  Indians.  If  anyone  is  hampered  by  home  ties,  so  that  he  can't 
go  abroad,  let  him  remember  these  Indians. 

C.  C.  Adams,  of  Princeton:  Commissioner  Atkins  order  is  infamous. 
This  Alliance  is  not  doing  its  duty,  if  it  does  not  protest. 

Mr.  Hamling,  of  Alexandria:  The  Indians  themselves  are  importunately 
asking  our  help.  I  once  was  acquainted  with  a  Sioux,  who  said  that  though 
his  people  were  ignorant  and  depraved,  they  earnestly  desired  light.  He 
made  a  very  touching  appeal. 

W.  J.  Reid,  of  Rochester:  The  speaker  recounted  a  bit  of  personal  ex- 
perience, tending  to  show  the  craving  of  the  Indians  for  the  gospel. 

G.L.Todd,  of  Auburn:  Some  of  tlje  Indians  of  Northern  Michigan, 
owing  to  the  rapid  growth  of  Sault  Ste.  Marie  are  getting  very  wealthy,  and 
it  is  found  they  make  far  better  citizens  than  poor  whites. 


Foreign  Missions. 

By    Rev.   Arthur   T.   Pierson,    D.D.,      of    Philadelphia. 

(Note — Dr.  Pierson  not  having  a  manuscript,  but  a  brief  outline  of  his 
address  can  be  given.) 

The  more  we  look  at  the  field  of  missions,  the  more  we  are  overwhelmed 
with  its  vastness.  Language  fails  to  convey  our  ideas.  We  speak  of  con- 
tinents in  the  death-shade.  What  are  continents?  We  speak  of  a  thousand 
million  people  lying  unevangelized.  But  what  conception  do  we  have  of  a 
thousand  million?  In  order  to  an  adequate  conception  let  us  take  a  stand- 
ard of  comparison.  Let  Connecticut  be  the  unit  of  measure.  It  contains 
4,700  square  miles.  Connecticut  may  be  contained  in  Dakota  or  Japan 
seven  times.  Japan  is  one  of  the  smallest  of  the  mission  fields;  it  may  be 
contained  in  India  ten  times.  India  in  China  three  times,  or  twice  with 
enough  left  over  to  make  seven  Empires  of  Japan.  Africa  would  make  two 
Chinas  and  two  Indias.  A  thousand  million  people!  Let  me  illustrate  this 
also.  If  the  Siamese  were  to  pass  before  us  at  the  rate  of  sixty*  a  minute  it 
would  take  three  years  for  them  to  get  by.  If  the  Japanese  at  the  same 
rate  it  would  take  twelve  years.  If  the  population  of  Africa,  an  entire 
generation  would  have  been  born  and  buried  before  they  would  have  pass- 
ed. If  India,  a  century.  If  China,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  years  or 
one  hundred  and  fifty  years.  These  vast  populations  are  in  papal,  pagan  or 
Mohammedan   countries. 

♦A  mi.sfcike.  The  speaker  probably  meant  five  a  minute. 


54  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY   ALLIANCE. 

The  next  thing  that  impresses  me  in  looking  at  the  mission  fields  in  the 
vastness  of  the  vacancies.  Moffat  went  to  South  Africa,  when  no  white  man 
had  penetrated  to  the  interior  of  the  dark  continent.  Stanley  in  1877  start- 
ed in  at  Zanzibar  and  came  out  at  the  mouth  of  the  Congo,  and  during  his 
journey  passed  over  seven  hundred  miles,  in  which  he  encountered  no  one 
who  had  met  a  Christian  missionary,  or  had  seen  a  bible,  or  had  heard  of  the 
gospel.  Look  at  the  question  not  in  a  commercial  or  humanitarian  light 
but  in  the  light  of  the  providence  of  God.  Why  do  I  go  all  over  the  coun- 
try talking  missions?  Some  people  think  that  I  at  the  head  of  the  fifth  largest 
church  in  my  denomination,  ought  .to  find  enough  to  occupy  my  attention  at 
home.  There  is  not  enough  in  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love  to  absorb  all  my 
sympathy.  There  is  no  comparison  between  the  destitute  portion  of  our 
own  land  and  the  destitution  of  lands  unpenetrated  by  the  gospel.  In  pro- 
portion as  the  Church  tries  to  go  to  the  continents  in  the  death-shade,  God 
gives  his  blessing. 

The  age  of  missions  is  the  age  of  miracles.  Christlieb  in  his  work  on 
Modem  Infidelity  says,  "The  annals  of  missions  are  crowded  with  events 
that  remind  one  of  the  days  of  Christ  and  his  Apostles."  When  the  deaf 
heard,  the  blind  saw,  the  paralytics  took  up  their  beds  and  walked,  and  the 
dead  were  raised,  there  were  not  more  proofs  that  Christ  was  at  work  than 
in  modern  missions.  I  began  the  study  of  Christian  missions  thirty  years 
ago,  in  an  atmosphere  too,  not  favorable  to  foreign  missions.  I  took  the 
church  which  sent  out  Dr.  and  Mrs.  House  to  Siam.  I  then  began  to  feel 
the  grandeur  of  missionary  life  and  consecration.  And  the  more  I  study 
this  subject,  the  greater  is  my  zeal,  and  the  higher  is  the  flame  of  consecra- 
tion. God's  power  goes  before  his  missionary  work,  and  God's  grace  seals 
that  work.  Moffat  in  Africa,  Morrison  in  China,  Wilhams  in  the  South  Sea 
Islands,  Wm.  B.  Johnson  in  Sierra  Leone,  Royal  B.  Wilder  in  India, 
McAll  in  Paris,  and  a  host  of  others  are  Christ's  modern  apostles.  God's 
pillars  of  cloud  and  fire  are  still  before  us;  the  walls  of  Jericho  are  still  fall- 
ing; and  the  power  of  Amelek  is  still  on  the  wane. 

Let  me  call  your  attention  to  the  various  fields  as  proving  the  proposi- 
tions I  have  laid  down.  Note  the  degradation  of  China.  There  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  or  four  hundred  million  people  bow  down  before  a  host  of 
gods,  with  all  their  boasted  civilization.  A  writer  proficient  in-Sanskrit  chal- 
lenges  the  world  to  find  any  system  of  religion,  which  teaches  that  a  god 
himself  sinless  died  an  offering  for  his  sinful  creatures,  or  was  raised  again 
for  their  justification.  Images  of  Buddha  are  gilded  by  the  Emperor  of 
Siam,  and  set  up  as  accomplished  prayers.  The  common  idol  of  the  Chinese 
household  is  the  ancestral  tablet.  Dr.  Happer  is  in  this  country  trying  to 
raise  $300,000  for  founding  a  Christian  college  in  China.  He  has  received 
a  petition  from  Canton  signed  by  all  the  Chinese  magnates,  asking  that  it  be 
located  there,  and  promising  support  in  case  it  is.  The  government  of  Japan 
offers  to  support  teachers  from  Christian  nations,  till  they  learn  the  language. 
The  Chinese  characters  are  giving  place  to  the  Roman  in  grammar  lexicon 
and  text-book.  One  of  the  missionaries  to  the  Zulus  says  that  their  eleva- 


FOREIGN    MISSIONS.  55 

tion  is  visible.  When  he  first  went  there,  they  were  naked  savages.  They 
first  came  to  him  and  bought  an  eight-cent  caHco  shirt,  then  a  nine-cent  pair 
of  duck  pants,  after  which  they  could  not  afford  to  sit  down  on  the  bare 
ground,  and  so  bought  a  little  nine-inch  three-legged  stool.  They  were  still 
very  low,  but  they  were  about  9,000  miles  higher  than  surrounding  heath- 
endom. 

In  1819  Wm.  B.  Johnson  went  to  Sierra  Leone.  He  was  ilhterate  but 
consecrated.  Before  he  went  he  was  met  by  the  question,  "Do  you  know  to 
what  a  degraded  people  you  are  going?"  His  answer  was,  "I  want  to  go  to 
a  degraded  people."  There  he  found  twenty-seven  tribes  rescued  from  the 
slave  ships.  They  were  blasphemous  and  theiving,  living  in  promiscuous 
concubinage,  and  celebrating  heathen  orgies  daily.  He  had  not  been  preach- 
ing  eighteen  months  before  practical  results  appeared.  He  worked  only 
seven  years;  but  he  saw  promiscuous  concubinage  succeded  by  marriage, 
theiving  by  honesty,  blasphemy  by  the  sacraments  of  baptism  and  the 
Lord's  Supper,  and  heathen  orgies  by  the  family  altar. 

Again  look  at  Metla  Kahtla,  a  model  Christian  state.  Its  people  were 
treacherous,  subtle,  wrathful,  violent,  hateful,  murderous  cannibals.  The 
missionary  who  first  went  to  them  said,  "Kill  me,  if  you  will,  but  I  shall 
stay  amoung  you,  till  I  die."  He  found  nine  different  tribes  in  one  village; 
and  they  were  so  hostile,  he  dared  not  congregate  them  in  one  place.  He 
carefully  prepared  his  first  sermon,  and  preached  it  four  times  in  the  same 
evening,  and  three  times  to  the  same  congregation,  so  that  they  might 
certainly  understand  it. 

Had  you  gone  to  the  Fiji  Islands  forty  years  ago  you  would  have  been 
robbed,  then  roasted  and  eaten.  Now  a  thousand  spires  of  Christian  church- 
es rise  in  those  isles  and  more  people  worship  God  there  than  in  London,  or 
New  York,  or  Philadelphia,  or  even  Alexandria. 

The  McAll  mission  of  Paris  is  another  instance  of  a  glorious  victory  of  a 
glorious  gospel.  Robert  W.  McAll  and  wife  were  in  Paris  in  1871  during  the 
Franco-Prussian  war.  They  could  not  speak  French,  but  McAll  distributed 
tracts  in  the  French  language  to  the  laborers.  One  day  a  workman  said  to 
him,  "If  you  will  only  send  us  teachers,  that  will  teach  us  a  gospel  of  purity 
and  liberty,  there  are  many  of  us  who  will  hear."  He  went  to  England;  but 
these  words  kept  ringing  in  his  ears.  He  presented  the  matter  to  his  parish; 
but  they  said,  "Don't  go."  However  he  went.  Into  Belville,  out  of  which 
Communists  went,  where  a  man's  life  was  not  safe  at  midday,  into  the  gates 
of  hell  went  Brother  McAll  and  his  wife.  They  secured  a  room  in  a  tene- 
ment house,  and  began  work.  When  McAll  began  his  work,  he  knew  only 
two  sentences  in  French,  *'God  loves  you"  and  "I  love  you."  His  work  has 
been  so  successful  that  there  are  now  one  hundred  and  thirty  stations  in 
Paris,  Lyons,  Versailles,  Algiers,  and  the  govermnent  has  presented  them 
with  numerous  mementoes,  because  they  consider  his  work  the  best  police 
arrangement  within  their  knowledge  or  experience.  The  secret  of  his  suc- 
cess is  that  Brother  McAll  lives  the  mission,  eats  the  mission,  and  sleeps 
the  mission. 


56  INTER-SEMINARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

What  is  the  use  of  burying  one's  hfe  in  the  foreign  field  ?  Well,  what  is 
the  use  of  burying  seed  in  any  field?  It  is  only  from  buried  seed  that  har- 
vests grow,  and  so  it  is  with  buried  bodies.  When  Wilder  and  Foote  were 
young  men  at  the  head  of  their  class  in  college,  Foote  said  to  Wilder,  "Why 
do  you  want  to  throw  away  your  life  among  the  heathen?"  Notice  now 
the  results  of  these  two  lives.  Foote,  a  brilliant  lawyer,  became  rich,  had  a 
beautiful  wife  and  daughter,  secured  fame,  and  enjoyed  all  the  comforts  ot 
life.  Wilder  from  his  field  in  India  kept  up  a  correspondence  with  his  old 
friend.  All  at  once  Foote's  letters  ceased.  Upon  his  return  on  inquiry  he 
learned  the  misfortunes  of  his  friend.  First  the  wife  was  taken  away,  then 
the  daughter;  then  not  having  a  Christ  to  fall  back  on,  he  had  taken  a  pistol 
and  blown  out  his  brains.  The  result  of  Wilder's  life  was,  that  through 
thirty  years  of  labor  35,000  souls  were  converted,  3,000  cities  heard  the 
gospel,  3,000,000  pages  of  tracts  were  distributed,  3,300  children,  of  whom 
300  were  girls,  received  a  Christian  education;  in  all  3,500,000  people  were 
reached  through  his  efforts.  Which  life  was  buried,  which  thrown  away  ? 
I  would  rather  have  my  life  what  his  was  than  receive  the  highest  scepter 
of  worldly  power. 

Moffat  in  1817  opened  up  Africa  for  Livingstone.  He  translated  the  whole 
bible  into  the  Seccuana  dialect.  His  life  was  almost  as  sublime  as  that  of  Paul. 
"He  that  findeth  his  life  lose  it;  and  he  that  loseth  his  life  for  my  sake  and  the 
gospel's  shall  find  it."  The  vice  of  this  age  is  finding  one's  life.  Young  men 
now  are  too  intent  on  saving  their  lives.  What  shall  it  profit  a  man  if  he 
gain  the  whole  world,  if,  standing  on  the  verge  of  the  grave  and  looking 
back,  he  sees  a  wasted  life,  and  looking  into  the  future  he  sees  a  wasted 
eternity?  It  is  one  of  the  traditions  of  India  that  Buza,  the  King's  potter, 
undertook  at  his  command  to  make  a  masterpiece  for  the  King.  Five  times 
he  tried  and  failed.  Then  in  despair  he  threw  himself  into  the  furnace;  and 
the  result  was  a  porcelain  so  fine  that  the  Gods  out  of  pure  jealousy  snatched 
it  from  earth  to  Heaven.  This  is  a  fable,  but  it  contains  a  grain  of  immortal 
truth.  Young  men,  throw  yourselves  into  the  furnace,  if  you  would  make 
masterpieces  for  God.  Think  of  Ignatius  who,  standing  in  the  arena  facing 
the  Numidian  lion,  and  urged  to  recant,  said,  "I  am  grain  of  God,  and  must 
be  ground  between  the  teeth  of  lions   to  make  bread  for  God's  people." 

There  is  dignity,  joy,  honor  in  being  a  foreign  missionary.  Robert  Mof- 
fat's candle  still  shines  steadily.  The  Burmese  so  loved  Mrs.  Judson,  they 
kissed  her  shadow  as  she  passed.  I  tell  you,  young  brethren,  nothing  would 
prevent  my  becoming  a  foreign  missionary  if  I  had  my  life  to  live  over 
again.  Think  what  you  may  see  before  you  die,  whole  empires  turned  to 
Christ,  systems  honeycomed  by 'the  gospel,  the  whole  world,  perhaps,  per- 
meated by  the  leaven  of  God's  truth.  You  can  put  your  hand  on  the  springs 
that  shape  the  destinies  of  nations. 

I  have  a  daughter,  that  in  a  few  months  with  her  chosen  companion  will 
proceed  to  a  foreign  field.  I  have  seven  children,  whom  their  parents  have 
consecrated,   and  we  trust  God  will  consecrate  to  this  work. 


CHRISTIANITY'S  HEADWAY  AGAINST  MOHAMMEDANISM.  57 

A  man  came  to  the  American  Board  and  asked,  "Can't  you  show  me  a 
vacancy?"  One  of  the  members,  disgusted,  said,  "My  dear  sir,  there  is  no 
vacancy  but  in  your  own  head,  and  heart."  The  world  is  the  field.  There  is 
not  a  valley,  not  a  mountain,  not  an  ocean  coast,  that  is  not  to  be  visited. 

The  question  that  should  come  home  to  every  young  man  here  present  is, 
"What  is  the  wisest  investment  I  can  make  of  my  capital  ? "  Find  out 
God's  plan,  do  not  oppose  it,  but  fall  in  with  it.  There  are  three  attitudes 
you  may  take.  First,  be  a  bearer  of  God's  chariot.  Second,  be  prostrated 
and  ground  to  powder  beneath  it.    Third,  lag  and  be  left  behind  forever. 

We  are  living  in  a  fast  age.  Methuselah  lived  969  years.  We  stride  in  a 
day  what  he  passed  over  in  a  decade.  While  he  would  be  turning  around, 
we  have  crossed  a  continent.  God  has  harnessed  the  forces  of  nature  and 
the  forces  of  his  church   to  omnipotence. 

Do  work  for  Christ  as  long  as  you  live.  Do  that  work  which  you  will 
wish  you  had  done,  when  you  come  to  stand  before  the  judgment  bar  of  God. 
What  you  do  for  this  generation,  you  must  do  while  this  veneration  lasts, 
before  i.ocxD.ooo  souk  go  with  you  to  their  reward.  And  now  may  God 
give  you  grace  to  dedicate  your  lives,  without  any  thought  of  personal 
emolument.  Have  respect  like  Moses  to  the  recompense  of  the  reward. 


"What   Headway   is   Christianity    Making 
Against    IVIohammedanism?" 

By  Benson  Sevv'all,  Bangor  Seminary,   Bangor,  Maine. 

Christianity  is  advancing.  The  prophecy  of  our  Savior  that  the  gates  of 
Hades  should  not  prevail  against  His  k'ngdom  is  daily  being  fulfilled  in  the 
life  of  the  world.  In  every  quarter  of  the  globe,  the  cross  is  supplanting  the 
idol.  But  if  the  main  current  is  so  grandly  surging  on,  sweeping  every  thing 
before  it,  we  cannot  shut  our  eyes  to  the  fact  that  there  are  eddies  along  the 
banks.  In  Mohammedan  lands  the  course  of  Christian  progress  seems  thus 
diverted.  Here  and  there,  to  be  sure,  strong  native  churches  have  risen  on 
the  ashes  of  the  Mosques  of  the  Prophet.  Occasionally  whole  communities 
have  shown  the  spirit  of  evangelization.  If  you  were  to  visit  Travancore, 
you  would  be  gratified  at  the  results  of  the  patient  missionaries'  fervour.  No 
more  peace-loving  or  earnest  Christ-seeking  men  could  be  found  in  our  own 
favored  land.  Turn  your  eyes  toward  certain  parts  of  Turkey  and  the  same 
happy  surprise  would  find  expression.  But  looking  at  the  statistics  of  Christ- 
ianity in  its  general  relation  to  Islam,  we  shall  have  to  acknowledge  that 
they  are  disheartening.  While  no  vast  defection  has  gone  from  the  one  to 
the  other  as  in  the  days  of  the  Prophet,  yet  no  deep,  far-reaching  develop- 
ment of  higher  truth  has   arisen  within  the  confines  of  Mohammedanism. 


58  INTER.SBMINAKY    MISSIONARY   ALUANCB. 

No  mighty  wave  of  divine  power  has  swept  over  the  dark  continent,  no 
great  ingathering  of  souls  has  brightened  the  sad  lot  of  those  who  live  and 
die  under  the  oppressive  creed.  Scores  of  years  of  faithful,  wise  missionary 
work  have  been  spent,  and  how  few  results  can  be  seen!  Is  there  something 
radically  wrong  in  our  way  of  meeting  this  problem?  Or,  is  Islam  a  branch 
of  the  true  church,  only  a  boon  to  mankind,  a  gift  against  which  we  should 
not  oppose  our  forces  ? 

One  of  the  noblest  of  traits  is  a  large  and  broad  minded  charity.  But  while 
exercising  the  truest  Christian  charity,  we  must  remember  that  we  are 
Christians.  However  large  may  be  our  view  of  our  religion,  we  must  include 
in  our  definition  of  it,  its  fundamental  principle  of  vicarious  sacrifice.  To 
step  down  from  that  broad  and  divine  law  upon  any  other  ground  is  to  lose 
sight  of  the  keystone,  and  grandest  truth  in  the  whole  system.  Is  the  Koran, 
then,  with  its  "nothing  shall  be  imputed  to  a  man  but  his  own  labor,"  in 
harmony  with  the  gracious  truth,  "The  Lord  hath  laid  on  Him  the  iniquity 
of  us  all?"  Have  we  a  right,  with  a  shrug  of  the  shoulders,  to  dismiss  the 
subject  by  saying  that  Mohammedanism  like  Nestorianism  is  simply  a 
Christian  heresy?  Can  it  be  possible  to  rank  that  man  as  even  an  hereti- 
cal Christian,  whose  attitude  toward  his  fellowmen  is  expressed  by  these 
words,  recently  spoken  by  a  Moslem  in  regard  to  Nestorians?  "Kill  all  the 
men  who  will  not  receive  the  Korau;  raise  up  a  race  of  Moslems  from  their 
women;  and  train  up  the  children  in  the  faith  of  Mohammed — on  whom 
be  peace."  (Ely  Volume,  p.  35). 

No  we  must  make  use  of  our  Christian  charity,  not  by  letting  down  the 
bars,  but  by  putting  forth  every  effort  and  straining  every  nerve  to  reclaim 
from  misery  and  sin  fellowmen  who  spurn  us  and  scoff  at  our  gospel.  That 
there  have  been  recent  Mohammedan  successes  in  Africa,  China  and  the  East 
Indies  should  but  lead  us  on  to  more  devoted  self-sacrifice  to  gain  them  to 
the  cross.  Shame  upon  us  of  the  religion  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  sit  idly  by 
and  watch  the  growth  of  a  creed  whose  only  recommendation  is  its  superi- 
ority to  rank  heathenism,  and  whose  only  right  to  be  is  found  in  the  past 
degradation  of  an  effete  Christianity.  On  us  rests  a  weighty  responsibility; 
in  our  hands  is  placed  a  mighty  trust.  If  we  find,  as  we  do,  so  little  real 
progress  in  evangelizing  the  Moslem  world  are  we  coldly  to  blame  the  hard 
working  missionary  and  his  methods?  God  forbid!  Let  us  rather  candidly 
look  over  the  field,  find  the  causes  of  the  present  state  of  things,  and  learn 
the  lessons  which  they  teach,  that  we  may  spur  each  other  on  to  good  works. 
I.    First  then  as  to  the  causes. 

I.  Mohammedanism  is  essentially  to-day  what  it  was  in  its  prime  a 
thousand  years  ago.  To  hold  before  our  minds,  therefore,  the  nature  of  the 
peculiar  difficulties  of  missionary  endeavors  among  Moslems,  it  is  necessary 
to  call  up  in  review  some  of  the  springs  of  action  of  its  founder,  and  their 
subsequent  development.  And  that  we  may  get  them  clearly  before  us,  let 
me  draw  a  rough  sketch  of  the  dark  background  against  which,  in  early 
days,  the  Mohammedan  thunderbolts  spent  their  force. 


CHRISTIANITY'S  HEADWAY  AGAINST  MOHAMMEDANISM.  59 

(l.)  In  the  seventh  century  the  heathen  world  was  intensely  heathen. 
Idolatry  was  the  law  of  the  day,  especially  in  Arabia,  where  it  was  particu- 
larly oflfensive  because  an  admixture  of  truth  had  at  least  flavored  it  with 
some  approach  to  a  revealed  and  historic  religion. 

At  that  time  the  Arabs  were  the  world's  merchants,  and  Arabia  the  high- 
way of  its  commerce.  True  to  their  nature  the  Jews  had  followed  the  glitter 
of  gold  and  the  odor  of  sweet  spices,  and  had  made  themselves  and  their 
ideas  felt  throughout  the  peninsula.  Perverted  Old  Testament  traditions  be- 
came interwoven  with  the  native  religion.  Ishmaelitish  Judaism  had  long 
since  ceased  to  hold  to  Monotheism,  the  essence  of  the  religion  of  the  Jew. 
At  the  advent  of  Mohammed,  naturally  a  highminded,  thoughtful  soul  there 
is  accordingly  nothing  uplifting,  nothing  spiritual  in  the  degraded  idolatry 
about  him. 

(2)  On  the  other  hand  we  look  in  vain  for  a  benign  Christianity  to  en- 
lighten the  God-seeking  soul.  The  Oriental  church  then,  as  now,  was  de- 
based. All  he  sees  is  a  body  of  believers,  apparently  polytheists,  ignorant 
and  bigoted,  ruled  by  a  priesthood  whose  power  was  measured  by  the 
degradation  of  the  masses.  The  gospel  was  hidden  under  monuments  of 
worldly  ambition  and  pridq.  An  admirer  of  the  character  of  Jesus,  he  is  dis- 
gusted with  the  professed  imitators  of  the  Perfect  Man.  He  is  repelled  by 
the  very  truths,  which,  if  presented  in  their  simplicity,  might  have  been  the 
means  of  establishing  the  Savior's  kingdom  throughout  that  vast  region 
which  became  the  stronghold  of  the  haters  of  Christ  and  His  followers.  The 
phases  of  Christianity  he  has  seen,  open  his  eyes  to  a  twofold  truth — that 
there  must  be  a  higher  religion  than  idolatry,  and  that  Christianity,  as  he 
saw  it,  was  not  that  one.  The  sincerity  of  his  purpose  to  attain  to  a  truer 
communion  with  God  seems  undoubted.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  later 
developements  of  selfish  ambition  on  the  part  of  its  founder,  Islam  surely 
took  its  inception  in  the  noble  aspiration  of  a  soul  to  free  itself  from  its  base 
environments. 

Happy  would  it  be  if  this  were  the  whole  truth  as  to  the  early  spirit  of 
Mohammedanism.  But  scarcely  had  it  taken  its  stand  as  a  religion  before  it 
began  to  make  concessions  to  the  world;  concessions  not  to  the  liberty  of  re- 
ligious opinion  but  to  the  license  of  existing  evils.  Slavery,  polygamy,  di- 
vorce,— three  black  words.  If  the  Prophet  was  the  prophet  of  God,  how  ex- 
plain  them?  If  a  great  unselfish  reformer,  how  could  he  sanction  them? 
But  the  evil  was  done.  Ambition,  the  carnal  heart,  and  love  of  power  had 
already  thrown  their  deadly  manacles  about  his  motives.  To  be  consistent, 
or  even  to  maintain  his  personal  ascendency,  his  revelations  must  embody 
these  compromises.  The  Koran  therefore,  betrays  the  sad  downfall  of  a  lofty 
soul  ensnared  by  the  temptations  of  the  world.  The  polluted  fountain  sends 
forth  turbid  waters.  Henceforth  the  heralds  of  Islam  use  worldly  means  of 
converting  unbelievers,  proclaim  it  as  a  political  creed,  universal  in  its  scope, 
and  death  as  the  alternative  of  conversion  and  the  punishment  of  apostasy. 
"No  foresight  can  guard  against  the  development  from  any  principle  of 
that  which  it  contains  in  the  germ."   (Neander's  Church  History,  Vol.  II, 


6o  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

p.  179).  These  phases  of  the  immediate  spread  of  the  faith  are  characteristic 
to-day,  and  but  for  the  constraint  under  which  it  ds  placed  by  the  European 
powers,  would  be  most  terribly  exemplified  in  persecution  and  bloodshed. 
How  characteristics  of  this  kind  have  affected  missions  we  shall  presently  see. 

(3.)  Yet  notwithstanding  such  elements  of  evil,  Mohammedanism  was 
far  superior  to  the  surrounding  forms  of  religion.  To  quote  from  a  promi- 
nent religious  journalist,  it  "would  never  have  flashed  like  a  tunning  flame 
across  the  east  and  around  the  southern  shore  of  the  Mediterranean,  if  there 
had  not  been  a  great  and  vitalizing  truth  at  the  core  of  all  its  errors." 
(Christian  Union,  May  12,  1887).  Is  it  saying  too  much  to  afiirm  that  it  was 
better  than  the  degraded  and  idolatrous  Christianity  which  at  that  time  was 
quarrelling  with  itself  at  the  next  door?  Is  it  too  much  to  say  that  in  the 
providence  of  God,  Mohammedanism  had  a  mission  in  its  day,  and  that  now 
that  mission  has  played  its  part  in  the  world's  history,  and  the  duty  of  re- 
shaping Moslem  destinies  now  rests  in  our  hands? 

2.  In  whatever  way  we  reconcile  its  sudden  and  prodigious  growth  with 
the  beneficence  of  God,  there  are  certain  facts  connected  with  it  which  we 
must  recognize — facts  which  will  serve  to  explain  not  merely  its  mushroom 
growth,  but,  which  is  more  to  the  point,  it^  present  attitude  toward 
Christianity. 

(i.)  There  were  certain  external  reasons  why  the  new  faith  gained  rapid 
headway.  Of  these  the  most  obvious  was  the  weakness  of  the  existing 
governments.  The  union  between  throne  and  province  was  by  a  rope  of 
sand.  Given  faithless  executive  ofiicers,  and  inter-communication  slow  and 
unsafe,  and  you  have  an  end  of  good  government.  Strike  the  fabric  a  fair 
blow  and  it  scatters  in  a  thousand  fragments.  Mohammed  and  his  immedi- 
ate successors  had  no  difficulty  in  the  use  of  the  magic  wand.  One  touch 
and  all  was  ruin;  another  touch  and  a  new  political  temple  rose,  with  them- 
selves as  the  high  priests. 

To  the  political  situation  there  is  added  a  most  interesting  religious  ele- 
ment. The  idolatrous  worship  of  the  Orient  had  not  enough  intrinsic  truth 
or  even  plausibility  to  hold  its  adherents  in  a  strong  grasp.  The  Jewish  ex- 
pectation of  a  Messiah  had  undoubtedly  insimiated  itself  unseen  but  not  un- 
felt  along  the  highways  of  international  commerce.  A  wavering,  unsatisfied 
attitude  toward  existing  institutions  was  the  natural  result,  and  showed  it- 
self later  in  an  enthusiastic  and  devoted  adherance  to  the  claims  of  the  new 
Prophet. 

(2.)  Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  corruption  of  Christianity  as 
a  cause  of  the  tise  of  the  new  faith.  We  have  reason  to  believe  that  this  cor- 
ruption had  no  less  a  part  as  an  element  in  its  development.  In  both  the  Eas- 
tern and  Western  churches,  image  worship  and  reverence  for  the  saints  had 
taken  such  deep  root,  that  the  Christians  to  the  Moslem  were  the  merest 
idolators.  The  very  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  was  blasphemy.  Taught  from 
the  outset  to  spread  Monotheism,  he  came  to  look  on  the  Christian  merely 
as  a  polytheist,  who  could  not  be  made  to  accept  the    true    God   and   His 


CHRISTIANITY'S  HEADWAY  AGAINST  MOHAMMEDANISM.  6l 

I 

Prophet.  The  conversion  of  the  world,  therefore,  that  should  have  been 
undertaken  by  the  Christian,  was  left  to  the  advocate  of  Islam,  whose  zeal 
was  attested,  when  arguments  failed,  by  appeal  to  the  power  of  the  sword. 

Religion  thus  became  external.  The  growing  power,  unquenchable  zeal 
and  outspoken  observance  of  the  prescribed  forms  of  worship  of  the  faithful 
naturally  added  greatly  to  the  momentum  of  the  new  force  in  society. 

(3.)  Notwithstanding  the  power  of  these  circumstances  in  moulding  the 
future  of  Islam,  this  wonderful  onward  miracle  could  not  have  come  about 
but  for  certain  inherent  qualities  it  possessed,  at  least  in  the  germ,  which 
rendered  it  in  its  elder  days  one  of  the  most  powerful  of  political  religions, 
and  now  renders  it  one  of  the  most  difficult  of  access. 

Scarcely  had  Monammed  found  himself  at  the  head  of  a  politico-religious 
party,  before  which  the  avenues  of  power  opened  enticingly,  ere  he  yielded  to 
the  awful  pressure  to  gain  power  and  maintain  it  by  the  law  of  might.  Suc- 
cesses followed.  The  bait  of  spoils  was  so  fascinating  to  the  class  of  men 
among  whom  he  lived,  that  myriads  flocked  to  his  standard,  undoubtedly  in- 
fluenced by  this  motive  alone.  It  soon  became  a  religious  study  to  convert 
the  infidel  or  murder  him  and  confiscate  his  goods — the  latter  presenting  on 
the  whole  the  most  attraction.  From  this  cause  a  taint  of  jealousy,  and 
hatred  of  all  creeds  but  that  of  the  faithful  still  Ungers  in  Moslem  blood. 
The  narrowness  and  bigotry  of  the  Koran  foster  it.  A  conservatism  too  con- 
servative to  merit  such  an  honorable  title,  rules  the  Mohammedan  world  and 
harrasses  all  attempts  to  better  its  condition.  Add  to  this,  the  fatalism  of  its 
founder  and  you  have  the  culminating  influence,  which  has  probably  been 
more  nearly  the  direct  cause  of  stultifying  and  retarding  any  desires  for  ad- 
vancement than  all  other  causes  combined. 

To  thoughtful  Europeans  and  even  to  many  educated  Moslems  to-day, 
the  Koran  and  its  extravagances  are  an  acknowledged  dead  letter, — fit  for  a 
past  age  perhaps,  but  now  inadequate  to  supply  the  spiritual  longings  of  en- 
lightened people.  In  the  dark  ages  there  was  such  gloomy  spiritual  dark- 
ness and  the  grouping  after  the  comforter  was  so  blind,  that  the  tangible, 
didactic  laws  of  Islam  to  a  certain  extent  undoubtedly  met  the  common 
want.  The  missionary  to-day  has  the  same  condition  of  things  in  which  to 
work.  Ignorance  and  superstition  are  everywhere;  narrowness  and  bigotry 
its  offspring.  When  once  the  light  of  Christian  education  can  find  perma- 
nent foothold,  the  worst  foe  of  progress  is  paralyzed,  and  the  darkness  of 
degradation  and  infidelity  is  dissipated  to  give  way  to  the  ineffable  rays  of 
the  Sun  of  Righteousness, 

Probably  the  strongest  reason  for  the  sudden  growth  and  lasting  hold  ot 
Islam  on  so  large  a  part  of  mankind  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  requires  in  its 
convert  no  regeneration,  no  inward  change.  Acceptance  of  the  Prophet  de- 
mands no  renunciation  of  the  world,  no  life  of  holiness;  the  passport  is 
"There  is  no  God  but  God,  and  Mohammed  is  the  Prophet  of  God." 
(Stobart's  "Islam  and  its  Founder,"  p.  100).  It  presents  a  creed  far  easier  for 
the  moral  man  or  the  libertine  to  accept  instanter  than    its  alternative   the 


62  INTER-SEMINARY   MISSIONARY   ALLIANCE. 

I 

sword.  When  a  poor  ignorant  soul's  salvation  is  put  before  him  in  that  shape, 
what  marvel  that  half  the  known  world  dropped  on  its  knees  at  the  bidding 
of  the  herald  of  such  a  positive  gospel?  To  gain  Paradise  by  such  a  route  was 
naturally  far  easier  than  by  the  slow,  painstaking  and  more  spiritual  way  of 
the  Christian. 

A  reproduction  of  this  scene  is  taking  place  now  wherever  in  the  lands  of 
Islam  the  standard  of  the  cross  has  been  planted.  Moslems  are  self-satisfied 
in  their  religion.  They  are  taught  to  believe  it  will  soon  spread  over  the 
whole  world.  They  look  neither  kindly  nor  candidly  at  the  untiring  efforts  of 
the  Christian  missionary  in  their  behalf.  False  motives  are  placed  at  his 
door,  and  all  his  movements  are  eyed  with  suspicion.  He  is  constantly  met 
by  such  remarks  as  this,  which  came  recently  from  a  sober,  well-meaning, 
but  bigoted  official  in  India;  "Now  tell  me,  in  confidence,  how  much  you  get 
for  each  convert  you  make."  ("The  Land  of  Charity.")  Generations  of  preju- 
dice in  their  views  against  Christianity  and  corruption  in  their  own  methods 
of  gaining  converts,  blind  them  to  the  possibility  of  seeing  any  unselfishness 
in  the  labors  of  others. 

II.  We  have  thus  glanced  at  the  causes  of  the  slow  headway  Christianity  has 
made  against  Mohammedanism.  Let  us  now  trace  them  to  their  results  as 
seen  in  some  of  the  present  obstacles  and  encouragements  to  evangelistic 
work. 

I.  The  former  show  themselves  in  so  many  and  insidious  ways  that  the 
faithful  missionary  is  often  led  to  cry  out,  "O  Lord,  who  is  sufficient  for 
these  things?"  Truly  they  are  discouraging.  Let  a  headstrong  fanatical  race 
get  hold  of  false  beliefs,  and  it  will,  so  to  speak,  take  the  bits  between  its 
teeth,  and  soon  be  past  all  control.  The  Moslem  feels  that  his  is  the  univer- 
sal religion;  it  is  satisfying;  to  try  to  convert  him  to  another  is  folly  and 
worse  than  folly. 

The  truest  article  in  his  creed  is  also  the  truest  in  our  own,  namely  the 
oneness  of  God.  But  it  is  also  the  stumbling  stone  over  which  the  mission- 
ary's help  is  scarcely  able  to  lift  the  prejudiced  convert.  "God  cannot  have 
a  Son,"  he  says.  A  tri-theistic  theology  is  the  rankest  blasphemy.  When 
Islam  has  run  such  a  glorious  course,  holds  with  scarcely  a  break  its  170, 
000,000  human  souls,  and  sees  no  other  religion  higher  than  itself,  what 
wonder  our  mission  statistics  look  meagre?  I  say  "no  other  religion  higher 
than  itself."  Twelve  hundred  years  of  contact  with  a  false  Christianity  can- 
not be  overcome  in  a  generation.  Till  recently  Mohammedanism  as  a  re- 
ligion has  actually  never  seen  Christianity  in  any  form  which  ever  approach- 
ed purity.  The  Oriental  churches  were  and  are  almost  idolatrous.  The 
nominal  Christianity  of  European  governments  has  not  always  been  an  in- 
fluence  on  the  right  side.  The  rum  traffic  and  other  shameful  crimes  in  the 
heart  of  Africa  which  Western  nations  have  winked  at,  have  put  Christiani- 
ty at  a  disadvantage  where  Islam  has  grown.  Even  the  Protestant  missions 
themselves  which  to-day  in  every  Mohammedan  country  are  struggling  for 
the  name  of  Christ,   have  been  so  hampered  and  scorned  by  the  self-right- 


CHRISTIANITY'S  HEADWAY  AGAINST  MOHAMMEDANISM.  6j 

ous  Moslems  as  scarcely  to  have  been  able  to  gain  a  hearing  for  their  cause. 
And  when  a  man  knows  that  to  apostatize  is  to  be  a  traitor  and  to  incur  the 
ignominy  of  a  traitor  among  his  former  coreligionists,  he  plainly  must  be  a 
man  of  sound  convictions  and  the  courage  of  his  convictions  who  will  for 
their  sake  renounce  all  he  formerly  held  dear. 

2.  I  have  thus  dwelt  at  some  length  on  the  discouraging  features  of  mis- 
sionary enterprise  among  the  Mohammedans  that  the  way  may  be  cleared 
for  the  brighter  aspect  which  such  work  certainly  presents,  and  for  a  better 
understanding  of  our  relation  as  Christian  ministers  to  the  unchristianized 
world  about  us. 

This  century  is  a  missionary  century.  We  have  waked  up  from  the 
apathy  of  the  last  and  are  learning  methods  of  reaching  the  masses.  The 
science  of  missions  is  in  its  infancy.  If  to  this  cause  we  may  attribute  any 
past  failures  it  is  an  encouraging  fact  that  time  will  remedy  the  evil.  In  a 
measure  we  can  already  say  the  evil  has  at  least  been  abated.  The  mission- 
ary knows  better  now  how  to  make  his  work  tell  than  he  did  a  generation 
ago.  He  has  a  more  thorough  equipment  before  leaving  home.  His  ideas 
of  the  grandeur  of  the  work  before  him  are  more  inspiring.  His  conceptions 
of  the  love  of  God  and  the  efficacy  of  Christ's  atoning  grace  are  broader. 
He  has  a  better  grasp  on  the  great  principles  that  govern  human  conduct 
and  can  consequently  use  to  better  advantage  the  subordinate  influences 
about  him  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  His  methods  are  less  argumentative  and 
destructive;  more  persuasive  and  constructive.  He  consumes  his  energies  less 
in  curbing  the  misdirected  zeal  of  the  heathen  soul  than  in  guiding  and  en- 
couraging everything  in  him  that  is  noble  into  the  channels  of  Christian  mo- 
tives and  under  the  sway  of  the  loving,  forgiving  Master. 

Outward  circumstances  also  yield  seed  for  encouragement.  This  new 
awakening  in  thought  and  action  in  Christian  lands  has  made  itself  felt  on 
the  African  deserts  and  the  islands  of  the  sea.  Men  perceive  it  and  ac- 
knowledge its  ultimate  result.  A  leading  pasha  of  the  Turkish  Empire  re- 
cently said  to  a  clergyman,  "The  signs  of  the  times  are  altogether  favorable 
to  you  Protestants.  We  are  falling,  and  you  are  rising.  I  shall  die  in  the 
faith  of  the  Koran,  but  my  grandchildren  will  believe  in  your  Bible,"  (Bain- 
bridge's  "Christian  Missions,"  p.  431).  They  themselves  see  that  the  vast 
fabric  of  their  Moslem  faith  is  rotten  through  and  through.  It  is  a  political 
religion,  local  in  its  ground  principles.  To  the  truth  of  these  assertions  the 
appeal  to  force  and  the  verbal  inspiration  of  the  Koran  attest.  To-day  there 
is  not  a  Mohammedan  power  of  stability  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  The 
"Sacredness  of  the  letter  of  their  scriptures,  which  render  it  untranslatable, 
confines  their  influence  to  narrow  and  ever  narrowing  circles. 

The  result  is  not  far  to  see.  Look  back  at  the  pagan  Roman  Empire  and 
what  do  you  find  but  these  same  principles?  A  state  putrifying  in  its  own 
immorality,  a  religion  whose  power  had  long  since  waned  and  whose  votaries 
were  rapidly  decreasing.  A  new  principle,  a  new  religion  in  each  case  is 
undermining  the  old,  planting  seed  of  truth  which  will  spring  up  and  blos- 
som on  the  ruins  of  by  gone  errors.  History  repeats  itself  before  our  eyes. 


64  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY   ALLIANCE. 

In  individual  communities  Christianity  has  transformed  men  and  shown 
its  power  and  benign  effects  on  life  and  character.  The  Moslem  has  begun  to 
see  the  value  if  not  of  the  new  morality,  at  least  of  the  changed  outward 
circumstances  of  Christian  converts.  No  little  advantage  has  accrued  to  the 
missionary  by  his  patient  devotion  to  the  secondary  work  of  making  their 
homes  and  home  life  Christian  in  the  largest  sense  of  the  word.  School  and 
college  as  well  as  the  more  strictly  mission  work  have  called  forth  unwill- 
ing praise  from  friend  and  foe  alike  By  the  respect  he  and  his  work  gain  in 
the  sight  of  the  natives,  as  well  as  by  the  background  of  respect  for  the 
foreign  government  of  which  he  is  a  representative,  the  missionary  has,  in 
many  parts  of  the  Mohammedan  world,  an  advantage  of  no  small  moment. 
The  American,  of  all  missionaries  has  the  best  leverage,  for  his  flag  is  re- 
spected wherever  it  is  floated,  and  yet  no  political  motives  can  be  imputed 
to  any  of  his  actions.  He  has,  as  no  other  foreigner  has,  the  confidence  of 
the  people. 

Does  it  not  seem,  my  fellow  workers,  that  God  has  thus  placed  on  us,  as 
no  other  nation  the  privilege  and  responsibility  of  carrying  the  message  of 
salvation  to  the  nations  that  sit  in  darkness?  Can  we  look  at  these  our  ad- 
vantages, without  admitting  their  weight  as  providential  appeals  to  us  to 
throw  ourselves,  heart  and  soul,  into  the  cause  of  reclaiming  the  heathen? 
Oh,  for  a  thousand  lives  to  put  at  the   Master's  disposal  to  be  used   where 

He  would  have  them. 

III.     What  now  are  the  lessons   for  us   to  take  to  heart  from  our  study  of 

the  attitude  toward  each  other,  taken  by  these  two  mighty  forces  ? 

The  conflict  which  has  waged  for  twelve  centuries  is  now  coming  to  a 
crisis.  It  is  beheved  that  a  new  day  is  approaching  when  the  crumbling  mass 
of  error  will  give  place  to  the  pervasive  power  of  Christ.  We  are  to  be 
witnesses  of  at  least  the  beginnings  of  that  disintegration.  And  we  as  minis- 
ters or  as  missionaries  are  the  ones  to  make  our  influence  felt,  not  merely  as 
destructive  powers,  working  against  a  false  creed,  but  rather  as  powers  up- 
lifting and  life-giving,  struggling  to  present  to  the  down-trodden  Moslem  a 
truer  faith,  a  surer  hope,  a  diviner  love. 

How  is  this  to  be  done? 

I.  It  seems  to  be  the  judgment  of  the  most  experienced  missionaries  that 
the  Moslem  must  be  reached  indirectly.  In  certain  localities,  to  be  sure, 
pre-eminently  in  South-western  India  where  the  Mohammedans  are  peculiar- 
ly open  to  religious  appeal,  there  seems  to  be  marked  success  in  the  use  of 
direct  evangeUstic  work.  But  the  past  has  shown  that  far  greater  results  at 
a  far  smaller  expenditure  of  energy  and  means,  have  been  attained,  by  sow- 
ing seeds  in  neighboring  sects,  more  accessible  to  the  gospel  and  letting  them 
fructify  before  the  Moslem's  eyes.  In  time,  when  he  has  been  influenced  by 
its  visible  effects  in  other  lives  he  is  willing  to  receive  what  he  would  be- 
fore have  utterly  rejected.  Now  is  the  time  of  sowing  that  seed.  The  great 
and  obvious  fact  of  the  weakness  of  the  Mohammedan  faith .  is,  in  itself 
enough  to  stimulate  us  to  renewed  endeavor,  but  let  us  be  sure  our  methods 
are  those  best  calculated  to  accomplish  the  desired  end.      To-day,  for  ex- 


CHRISTIANITY'S  HEADWAY  AGAINST  MOHAMMEDANISM.  65 

ample,  the  Bible  is  accessible  to  every  reader  of  the  Koran.  A  year's  labor 
at  the  dissemination  of  copies  of  the  Testament  and  Biblical  literature  in 
Arabic,  which  our  Protestant  press  in  Turkey,  Persia  and  India  are  so  faith- 
fully issuing,  will  hasten  the  coming  of  the  kingdom  more  than  ten  years  of 
direct  evangelistic  work  in  a  new  mission  station.  Not  that  the  latter  is 
undervalued.  God  forbid.  We  must  put  in  every  possible  stroke  for  the  con- 
version of  individuals,  and  not  rest  on  our  oars,  waiting  to  see  the  great 
Moslem  hulk  sink  at  her  moorings.  Raise  every  muscle  to  rescue  all,  by  all 
means.  Clothe  them  and  put  them  in  their  right  minds;  point  them  higher 
in  every  department  of  their  lives.  But  for  the  present  base  your  highest 
hopes  for  the  Mohammedans,  so  far  as  direct  influence  on  them  is  concerned 
on  the  dissemination  of  the  Word  of  God,  looking  for  results  here  and  there, 
but  waiting  patiently  for  the  great  upheaval. 

Meanwhile  bend  your  strongest  efforts  to  the  evangelization  of  the  heath- 
en and  nominal  Christians  about  them.  Plant  Christian  schools  and  colleges 
for  both  sexes.  Renovate  and  purify  the  home  and  the  community.  Make 
public  sentiment  Christian.  Teach  and  preach  a  pure  gospel.  Be  approxi- 
mate Christs  and  teach  your  converts  the  Christ-like  life.  Islam  will  not 
long  be  able  to  stand  the  pressure.  Thus  undermine  their  superstition  by 
first  building  up  before  them  a  solid  faith  in  Christ  which  they  may  see  and 
take  into  their  own  lives. 

2.  Do  not  assume  Mohammedanism  to  be  wholly,  utterly  and  absolute- 
ly without  truth.  It  has  a  core  of  divine  reality  in  it  and  we  should  make  use 
of  it.  Do  not  choke  the  Moslem's  striving  after  a  better  life  as  he  reads  his 
Koran.  Rather  point  out  to  him  those  suras  which  express  such  reverence 
for  the  Bible  and  for  Jesus.  Interest  him  in  the  Bible  by  showing  him  that 
his  infallible  Koran  has  an  interest  and  a  large  interest  in  it.  Use  his  rever- 
•ence  for  prayer  as  the  channel  through  which  all  true  men  seek  access  to  the 
good  God  he  loves.  To  struggle  against  these  traits  is  to  expend  energy 
uselessly,  nay  more,   to  injure  your  own  cause. 

A  skillful  sea  captain  found  himself  caught  in  a  typhoon.  He  calculated  the 
position  of  its  centre,  gained  the  outer  edge  and  was  carried  by  it  gloriously 
on  his  course  half-way  across  the  Indian  Ocean.  May  we  not  likewise  take 
advantage  of  those  elements  which  at  first  sight  on  the  foreign  field  seem  to 
present  only  difficulties?  While  recognizing  Christ-like  traits  which  oc- 
casionally appear  in  the  Mohammedan,  there  may  be  danger  of  going  too 
far  and  dropping  the  bars  of  Christianity  so  low  as  to  reduce  it  to  the  level 
of  other  religions.  This  is  not  Christian.  But  the  recognition  of  the  brother- 
hood of  man,  the  higher  strivings  after  truth  that  come  into  each  life,  and 
the  longing  to  meet  this  want  with  a  satisfying  faith  is  Christian  in  the 
highest  sense.  The  faith  which  is  ours  is  the  broadest,  most  human,  most 
divine  we  can  knoM'.  And  as  we  rise  in  it  to  greater  attitudes,  we  obtain 
larger  views  of  the  relation  between  God  and  man  and  of  the  extent  of 
Christ's  atoning  work.  Look  at  Islam,  "a  prophet  without  miracles,  a  faith 
without  mysteries,  and  a  morality  without  love,"  (Schlegel),  and  then  look 
at  Christianity  with  its  perfect  Founder,    its  life-giving  faith,   its  eternal 


66  INTKR-SEMINARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

possibilities  of  service.  We  have  indeed  a  gospel  to  preach,  and  a  field  in 
which  to  preach  it.  Let  no  man  say  that  the  Moslem  needs  no  missionaries. 
If  there  is  a  call  from  any  quarter  it  is  from  those  naturally  noble  but  now 
down  trodden  servitors  of  a  creed  whose  mission  has  long  ago  been  ac- 
complished, and  whose  present  existence  is  only  a  curse  to  humanity.  The 
leaven  that  transformed  the  Roman  Empire  is  at  work  among  the  i\Iussel- 
mans.  Paul,  sing'e  handed,  and  in  simple  faith  planted  it  eighteen  hundred 
years  ago.  It  is  for  us,  now,  individually  to  give  to  other  lands  that  same 
leaven,  that  we  may  have  our  part  in  hastening  the  coming  of  that  King- 
dom of  which  there  shall  be  no  end. 

Authorities  Consulted. 
Muir's  "Life  of  Mahomet,"  Bosworth  Smith's  "Mohammed  and  Moham- 
medanism," Stobart's  '"Islam  and  its  Founder."  Bainbridge's  "Tour  of 
Christian  Missions,"  Clark's  "The  Arabs  and  the  Turks,"  Hamlin's  "Among 
the  Turks,"  Flint's  [Lecture  in]  "The  Faiths  of  the  Word."  Beside  various 
excellent  articles  in  the  reviews  and  letters  from  missionaries,  particularly 
from  Dr.  Cyrus  Hamlin.  I  have  made  free  use  of  these  books,  and  others, 
in  the  preparation  of  this  paper,  though  I  can  hold  none  of  them  respon- 
sible for  the  opinions  expressed. 

Discussion. 

E.  W.  Stone,  Rochester:  Mohammedanism  is  a  missionary  religion,  and 
one  of  deep-rooted  prejudices.  What  headway  are  our  missionaries  mak- 
ing? It  seems  scarcely  any.  It  is  hard  to  convert  them.  Islam  seems  to  be 
getting  the  better  of  Christianity,  wherever  they  come  in  contact.  When 
Christians  become  as  great  propagandists  as  Mohammedans,  then  will  v>e 
make  such  inroads  into  Islam,  as  Russia  in  Turke}'. 

Paul  Desjardins,  Boston:  According  to  the  statement  ot  an  African 
missionary,  the  Mohammedans  have  greater  success  with  the  rum  traffic 
than  Christians. 

Benson  Sewell,  Bangor:  The  fact  that  there  are  ten  thousand  students 
in  the  INIohammedan  school  at  Cairo  is  misleading.  The  Koran  is  emphatic- 
ally the  text-book  of  the  Moslem.  Many  go  to  this  school  merely  to  get 
their  education,  after  which  ihey  return  to  their  homes;  while  others  enter 
to  escape  conscription. 

A  Brother  from  Lancaster:  Considering  the  depravity  of  Mohammedan 
•women,  we  should  seriously  think  of  the  propriety  of  sending  out  as  mis- 
sionaries a  host  of  consecrated  Christian  women. 

M.  G.  Evans,  Crozer:  God's  providence  extends  over  nations  as  well  as 
over  individuals.  Mohammedanism  is  losing  its  political  power.  Turkey, 
Arabia,  and  Asia  Minor  are  bound  to  be  disintegrated,  and  we  will  have  an 
opportunity  to  step  in.  God  says,  "I  \\'i\\  break  the  nations  in  pieces  as  a 
potter's  tesseL" 


WORK  OF  THE  HOME  MIMSTKY  FOR  FOREIGN  MISSIONS.  67 


Work  of  the   Home   Ministry  for  Foreign    Missions. 

]iY  R.  I.  Fleming,  Garrett  Biblical  Institute, 
EvANSTON,  III. 

The  cry  from  Macedonia  has  had  an  answer.  Eighteen  Christian  cen- 
turies have  given  it  their  response.  It  has  drawn  from  our  own  land 
miUions  of  money;  from  our  firesides  hundreds  of  heroic  men;  from  our 
hearts  the  incense  of  continuous  prayer.  Something  lias  been  done,  for 
from  the  lands  far  off,  the  glad  news  comes  of  triumph  in  Immanuel's  name. 
The  wedge  of  the  Gospel  has  entered  the  hard  crust  of  heathenism.  Some- 
thing has  indeed  been  done,  yet  the  truth  is  forced  upon  us  that  the  response 
of  eighteen  centuries  has  been  feeble,  when  those  who  stand  on  Zion's 
heights  tell  us  they  can  still  see  the  beckoning  hand  of  heathenism  and  hear 
the  despairing  cry  of  millions  unredeemed. 

While  these  last  facts  face  us  there  is  work  for  the  home  church  and  the 
home  ministry.  And  to  launch  at  once  into  the  discussion  of  this  topic,  let 
us  say  that  we  can  find  no  words  that  embody  more  fully  our  conception  of 
the  supreme  need  of  the  Christian  church,  than  those  addressed  by  Mr. 
George  H.  Stuart,  of  Philadelphia,  to  Alexander  Duff,  when  in  1S51  he 
invited  him  to  America  to  arouse  an  interest  in  foreign  missions,  saying: 
"We  have  material  enough  here,  we  need  only  to  be  stirred  up." 

In  general  then,  we  conceive  that  the  work  of  the  ministry  at  home  for 
foreign  missions,  is  to  quicken  the  church  to  the  viagftitude  of  the  missionary 
undertaking,  atid  her  positive  responsibility  for  its  successful  accomplishment. 
But  we  are  met  on  the  threshold  by  the  question :  How  is  this  to  be  done 
and  what  is  the  w^ork  of  the  home  ministry  in  relation  to  it.  The  work  of 
the  home  ministry  as  we  view  it  is  two-fold  ; 

1st.— With  the  Ministry  itself. 

2d. — With  the  Church. 

Under  these  divisions  we  desire  to  discuss  the  question,  and  we  take  up 
the  work. 

I.    with  the  ministry  itself. 

The  minister  must  recognize  his  position.  By  divine  appointment  he  is 
leader  of  the  church.  He  stands  as  the  director  of  moral  and  religious 
entei-prise.  The  history  of  religion  has  shown  that  the  people  do  not  go 
beyond  their  leaders  in  zeal  or  knowledge.  Nor  do  they  surpass  the  min- 
ister in  liberality  or  consecration.  His  energy  draws  the  boundary  line  of 
their  activity.  They  reflect  his  spirit,  and  this  makes  it  therefore  probable 
that  his  thought  concerning  foreign  missions  will  be  theirs.  He  must  rise 
then  to  the  responsibility  of  leadership.  He  must  be  beyond  the  people 
that  he  may  be  able  to  lead  them. 

But  the  minister  holds  also  a  peculiar  relation  to  the  foreign  field.  He 
stands  between  the  plenty  at  home  and  the  poverty  abroad.     He  must  fully 


68  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

apprehend  that  he  is  the  great  medium  through  which  the  wants  of  his 
brethren  in  the  field  are  to  be  made  known — the  mouthpiece  of  heathendom 
as  it  pleads  with  Christianity  for  help,  It  is  to  the  home  ministry  that  the 
missionary  turns  his  eyes  in  hopeful  appeal.  As  the  diver  at  the  bottom  of 
the  sea,  laying  the  pillars  for  the  lighthouse,  is  dependent  upon  his  helper  at 
the  surface,  who  pumps  the  current  of  fresh  air  down  into  those  stifling 
depths  ;  so  is  the  missionarj'  dependent  upon  the  consecrated  hearts  of  the 
home  ministry,  to  send  to  him  from  the  clear  heiglits  of  the  home  church, 
revivifying  currents  of  fresh  thought  and  devoted  prayer,  as  he  seeks  in  the 
deep  sea  of  heathenism  to  lay  the  foundation  stones  for  the  temple  of  our 
Lord. 

A  leader  to  the  people  at  home,  an  advocate  for  the  brethren  abroad,  the 
minister  must  get  a  crnception  of  the  missionary  question  that  will  quicken 
his  whole  being  into  living  sympathy  with  it.  There  is  no  great  achieve- 
ment without  a  great  conception,  and  there  are  no  great  conceptions  of 
humanity's  needs  that  are  not  born  from  above.  Therefore  that  the  minis- 
try may  be  fitted  for  leadership  in  this,  the  stupendous  religious  movement 
of  the  century,  let  them  li^ok  at  the  question  from  the  Biblical  standpoint. 
Let  the  Bible  be  their  textbook,  and  let  them  find  in  the  New  l^estament  the 
supreme  reason  and  authority  for  missions.  Let  them  travel  with  Peter, 
with  Barnabos,  and  Paul.  Let  them  study  apostolic  methods  and  apos- 
tolic consecration-.  Let  them  meditate  upon  the  Saviour's  great  injunction, 
"Go  into  all  th'i  world,"  until  their  souls  are  bathed  in  its  spirit.  Let  the 
"power  of  an  endless  life."  and  the  surpassing  love  of  Christ  burn  their  way 
into  the  heart  of  the  minister,  as  the  all  consuming  motives  for  missionary 
labor.  Let  the  minister  fully  know  that  only  in  the  streaming  light  of  the 
cross,  can  he  read  humanity's  needs  aright,  only  there  will  the  authority  and 
magnitude  of  the  missionary  undertaking  dawn  upon  his  soul. 

Let  the  minister  then  fit  himself  for  leadership. 

The  problem  of  foreign  missions  rests  for  its  solution  with  the  home  min- 
istry, and  the  first  step  to  an  aroused  church  is  a  ministry  aroused. 

But  this  is  only  preparatory  to  the  real  work  of  the  minister  at  home, 
which  is  : 

II.      WITH    THE   CHURCH. 

The  minister  works  with  men,  and  they  have  brains  as  well  as  hearts. 
They  can  be  brouglit  into  effective  sympathy  with  a  great  cause  only  when 
their  nature  in  its  entirety  is  roused  to  the  importance  of  it.  The  noble 
thought  that  rises  in  the  cool  fountains  of  the  intellect,  must  sweep  through 
t'.ie  warm  currents  of  the  heart  before  it  will  flow  into  the  bounding  sea  of 
human  action.  The  whole  man  must  be  touched  before  his  possibilities  can 
be  realized.  And  what  is  true  of  the  individual,  is  true  also  of  the  church. 
With  her  the  foundation  of  an  unyielding  conviction  on  the  question  of 
missions,  must  be  laid  in  intelligence.  The  work  of  the  home  ministry  then 
with  the  church  should  be  one  of, 

I.     Information. 

The  people  need  to  be  informed  as  to  the  geography  of  missions,     This  is 


WOKK  OF  THE  HOME  MIXISTRY  FOR   FOREIGN  MISSIONS.  69 


s  a 


an  enlightened  age— an  age  of  encyclopedias  and  world  atlasses.  It  i.,  .. 
day  when  the  morning  news  from  China  and  Peru  is  at  our  doors  in  time 
for  tea.  Yet  there  is  practically  much  ignorance  concerning  the  extent  and 
population  of  the  lands  from  which  we  daily  hear.  Australia  and  South 
America  are  names  that  bring  no  adequate  conception  of  their  territory  or 
their  people.  We  speak  of  Africa  and  her  two  hundred  millionsi  but  who 
forms  even  a  faint  conception  of  either  land  or  people.  China's  yellow  and 
unreckoned  myriads,  leave  the  mind  dazed  with  a  truth  as  incomprehensible 
as  it  is  great.  And  the  brightest  of  our  people  answer  with  a  vacant  stare 
when  you  assure  them,  that  India  crowds  two  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of 
her  dark  skinned  children  between  the  Himalaya  mountains  and  the  sea. 
These  lands  "that  are  very  far  off,"  must  in  some  way  be  brought  near. 
By  comparison  with  states  well  known,  by  blackboard  talks,  by  maps  and 
literature,  by  lectures,  social  meetings  and  by  sermons,  the  minds  of  the 
people  are  to  be  stored  with  information  that  will  make  China  real,  and 
bring  her  unhappy  millions  into  the  clear  light  of  day.  Let  the  people 
study  the  geography  of  the  question  until  its  extent  fully  dawns  upon  them, 
and  until  the  geography  of  missions  becomes  one  with  the  geography  of 
Christ,  who  not  only  knew  no  salvation  but  the  Gospel;  but  also  no  land 
except  "the  world";  no  nation,  but  "every  creature." 

But  when  the  people  comprehend  the  largeness  of  the  field  let  them  learn 
the  obstacles  to  be  met  and  the  strong  intrenchments  af  heathenism.  We  are 
interested  deeply  only  in  subjects  on  which  we  are  informed.  In  the  mis- 
sionary question  this  is  notably  true.  Therefore  it  becomes  the  home  min- 
istry to  open  every  denominational  doorway,  and  devise  new  methods  it 
possible,  by  which  trustworthy  information  may  be  brought  before  the  peo- 
ple. By  literature,  by  discussion  in  the  Sunday-school  and  missionary  meet- 
ing, it  may  be  shown  how  hard  it  is  to  Hft  a  people  out  of  the  grooves  of 
habit  in  which  they  have  run  for  centuries.  By  illustration,  the  people  may 
be  informed  as  to  the  customs  and  manners  of  the  heathen.  By  descrip- 
tion, they  may  see  their  daily  life,  their  dress  and  occupation.  The  diffi- 
culties of  their  language,  the  degradation  of  their  morals  may  be  presented. 
The  low  position  of  womanhood  and  childhood  may  be  pictured  to  the 
church  and  she  may  be  made  to  see  the  degrading  power  of  liquor  as  its 
traffic  is  carried  on  among  the  heathen  by  so-called  Christian  nations. 

Let  facts  be  the  fuel  that  kindles  the  fire  of  missionary  enthusiasm.  Let 
the  people  know  that  the  Hindoo  and  Chinee  are  learning  the  vices  of 
Christian  nations  faster  than  their  virtues.  Let  them  know  that  the  extent 
of  heathenism  geographically  is  not"  greater  than  her  degradation  morally. 
And  when  the  people  have  gone  about  heathendom  and  told  "the  towers 
thereof,"  and  marked  well  her  bulwarks;  when  they  have  looked  upon  heathen- 
ism as  it  is— heavy  with  age,  and  intrenched  in  centuries  of  oppression,  they 
will  no  longer  wonder  that  Hindoo  philosophy  has  not  crumbled  at  the  touch 
of  western  thought,  and  that  even  the  shining  lance  of  the  Truth  does  not 
intimidate  Confucius  and  Mohammed.  They  will  not  wonder  that  the 
church    is    calling    her    choicest    sons  to  stand  in  foreign  fields.     Let  facts 


70  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

abundant  and  reliable  arrest  the  attention  of  a  careless  church  and  she  will 
clearly  see  that  the  only  hope  for  these  lands  of  darkness  is  in  the  Gospel 
of  the  Son  of  God. 

But  the  work  of  the  home  ministry  for  foreign  missions  is  something  more 
than  iiiiie  information.     It  is  also  a  work  of 

2.     Education. 

After  the  mind  is  stored  with  facts  it  needs  to  be  educated  to  duty.  It 
is  to  be  drawn  out  in  appreciation  of  the  facts  presented  and  to  the  duty 
enjoined  upon  it  in  tlie  Gospel.  Our  people  do  not  recognize  the  otteness  of 
the  church  at  home  and  abroad.  "There  are  no  foreign  lands,"  Joseph 
Cook  declares.  Yet  our  brethren  in  the  field  seem  in  another  world.  They 
have  had  a  separate  call  and  that  seems  to  separate  them  further  from  us. 
In  our  common  thinking  the  missionary  and  the  minister  are  not  synony- 
mous. The  oneness  of  the  field  is  forgotten.  And  it  is  for  the  home  min- 
istry to  bring   the   people  to  that  thought  of  the   Christian   church,  which 

answers  the  prayer  of  the  Saviour,  "that  they  all  may  be  one, that 

they  may  be  one,  even  as  lue  are  one." 

But  the  people  need  education  in  giving.  Money  has  an  important  bear- 
ing on  the  missionary  question,  and  the  liberality  of  the  church  for  home 
and  foreign  work  bears  no  just  proportion.  New  plans  must  be  inaugura- 
ted, for  raising  money  for  this  giant  enterprise.  Most  of  our  churches  ai'e 
treated  annually,  or  semi-annually,  to  what  is  termed  "The  Missionary  Ser- 
mon." In  this  the  inherent  power  of  Chri.?tianity  to  overcome  heathenism 
is  descanted  on.  The  triumphs  of  the  cross  are  presented,  and  the  final 
supremacy  of  Messiah's  Kingdom  predicted  in  terms  that  glow  with  the  rosy 
tint  of  millennial  morn.  In  the  good  feeling  that  follo\\'s  the  sermon,  the 
collection  is  taken,  which  the  nearness  of  the  millennial  day  seems  to  make 
proportionately  small.  Now  we  plead  that  it  is  unworthy  of  the  great 
cause  of  missions  to  make  its  support  dependent  upon  a  spasm  of  religious 
emotion.  A  system  of  giving  should  be  adopted,  worthy  of  this  tremen- 
dous undertaking.  Beginning  at  the  earliest  childhood  in  the  Sunday-school, 
the  church  should  be  educated  to  a  liberality,  consecrated  and  systematic. 
By  regularity  in  weekly,  monthly,  or  quarterly  collections,  the  people  may 
be  educated  to  the  principle,  that  the  foreign  field  has  demands  upon  them, 
as  pressing  and  as  constant  as  the  church  at  home.  And  education  in  sys- 
tematic giving  will  not  only  increase  the  money  ot  the  mission  fund,  but 
it  unll  gradually  permeate  the  church  with  a  burdening  sense  of  her  entire 
responsibility  for  the  the  evangelization  of  the  heathen.  It  will  gradually 
carry  the  conviction  to  her  heart — a  conviction  feebly  felt  now,  if  felt  at 
all — that  the  object  of  her  being  is  not  so  much  her  own  salvation,  as  the 
salvation  of  all  men  ;  that  her  money  is  a  talent  given  for  use  and  not  for 
keeping ;  that  she  is  not  the  deep  sea  into  which  the  rivers  of  redeeming 
love  are  \.o  flow,  but  the  channels  through  which  they  are  to  go  until  every 
nation  walks  in  white  by  their  pure  waters.  The  cliurch  is  wrapping  the 
talent  of  her  Lord's  money  in   the  napkin  of  worldliness,  and   the  ministry 


WORK  TO  THE  HOME  MINISTRY  FOR  FOREinX  MISSIONS.  7I 

must  plead  day  and  iiiglit  that  it  I)e  taken  from  it.s  hiding  place  and  sent  on 
its  errand  of  love. 

Above  the  thought  of  giving  the  minister  is  to  educate  the  people  to  the 
thought  of  going.  These  two  ideas  react  on  each  other.  The  continued 
exhortation  to  give  wakens  a  lively  interest  in  those  who  go,  and  if  the 
appeal  to  go  to  the  foreign  field  is  not  regarded,  it  has  its  effect  at  least  in 
larger  giving.  But  it  is  for  the  Gospel  minister  to  be  ever  watchful  for 
talent  for  the  fields  abroad.  He  is  the  advance  agent  for  the  missionary 
society — the  recruiting  officer  for  our  army.  It  is  his  duty  to  "run  speak  to 
this  young  man,"  and  to  that  young  woman  who  are  preparing  themselves 
for  college,  and  to  urge  upon  them  the  claims  of  Christ ;  to  ask  them  to 
listen  in  those  college  days  if  haply  God  might  speak  and  call  them  "far 
hence  to  the  Gentiles."  Every  minister  must  educate  his  church  to  the 
thought  that  God  looks  to  her  not  only  for  gifts  of  money  but  for  gifts  of 
men  and  women  as  well.  And  here  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that  the  indi- 
vidual church  that  sends  her  sons  and  daughters  to  the  field,  is  the  most 
interested  always  and  alive  to  every  demand  of  the  foreign  work. 

Let  the  minister  then  acknowledge  the  claims  of  the  field  abroad  and  be 
ever  w  atchful  for  its  interests.  We  do  not  ask  the  home  minister  to  ignore 
the  needs  of  the  home  field,  we  only  plead  that  he  forcibly  present  the  needs 
of  the  foreign  field.  The  needs  of  the  home  field  ai-e  forced  upon  us  by  cir- 
cumstances, and  by  the  pressure  of  events.  The  suggestions  of  patriotism 
alone  will  lead  the  people  to  think  of  their  own  land.  They  already  hear 
the  mutterings  of  socialism,  the  threats  of  the  commune,  the  flappings  of 
the  anarchists'  red  flag.  They  already  see  the  alarming  influx  of  hetero 
geneous  elements  into  our  national  life,  and  feel  the  grating  of  these  forces 
among  i;s  so  inimical  to  the  well  being  of  society-  And  as  they  look  about 
to  find  a  solution  to  the  problem  of  their  evils,  as  Christians  they  will 
clearly  see  that  it  is  only  in  the  crwcible  of  the  Gospel  that  these  mixed 
elements  can  be  fused  into  homogeneity.  The  home  field  has  indeed  demands 
upon  us.  It  is  all  about  us  with  its  tremendous  problems.  But  the  pressure 
of  its  needs  gives  it  a  thousand  voices  with  which  to  ci-y  for  help,  while  the 
lands  beyond  the  sea  have  "no  voice  nor  language,"  unless  the  ministry 
shall  speak  and  tell  the  story  of  their  woe.  We  are  not  fearful  that  the 
home  work  will  be  overestimated,  but  that  the  foreign  work  will  be  under- 
estimated. It  is  not  for  the  home  minister  to  deny  that  some  one  must  stay, 
but  it  is  for  him  to  affirm  that  some  one  must  go.  And  the  people  are  to 
become  accustomed  to  the  thouglit  that  the  missionaries  must  come  from 
them. 

But  again,  the  work  of  the  home  ministry  ior  the  church  is  one  of 

3.     Inspiration. 

It  is  not  enough  that  people  be  informed  as  to  facts.  It  is  not  enough 
that  they  be  ediicated  to  duty.  They  must  be  inspired  to  action.  That  in- 
formation and  education  do  not  necessitate  right  action,  none  will  deny. 
What  then  is  our  further  need.  Is  it  more  organization?  No!  but  the 
power  to  make  eftective  what  we  have.       But  power  gathers  about  person- 


72  INTER-SEMINARY  MISSIONARY  ALLIANCE. 

ality.  Extent  of  territory,  wearisome  statistics,  logical  deductions  do  not 
inspire  men.  There  is  no  inspiration  in  abstract  ideas.  Inspiration  comes 
from  the  incarnation  of  an  idea.  Argument  will  convince  the  intellect,  and 
facts  will  elicit  sympathy,  but  the  power  to  inspire  to  action  comes  when  we 
can  lead  men  away  from  deductions,  abstractions  and  statistics,  to  one  whose 
life  is  the  embodiment  of  these,  in  whom  the  missionary  idea  has  become 
incarnate — \\hen  we  can  say,  "Behold  the  man!  " 

If  this  be  true,  let  the  home  minister  lead  his  people  to  facts  if  he  will, 
but  let  him  lead  them  to  lives  as  well.  Let  the  minister  himself  be  ?.  mis- 
sionary/t?^  the  heathen,  if  not  to  them.  A  living  voice  in  the  pulpit  that 
ceases  not  to  plead  with  men  with  tears,  is  the  greatest  inspiration  that  can 
touch  a  people.  And  when  the  zeal  of  the  minister  himself  has  kindled  "a 
flame  of  sacred  fire"  in  the  hearts  of  his  people,  let  him  bring  to  them 
brethren  from  the  field,  who  "speak  what  they  do  know  and  testify  what 
they  have  seen."  Let  the  returned  missionary  come  to  our  churches — he 
whose  lips  are  touched  with  consecrated  fire,  but  whose  heart  is  wrapped  in 
mourning  over  the  stupor  of  an  apathetic  church.  Let  them  go  through  our 
churches  as  did  the  first  missionary  of  the  church  of  Scotland  through  his 
own,  holding  conventions,  preaching  at  great  assemblies,  organizing  socie- 
ties, his  flaming  soul  burning  its  way  through  his  eloquent  lips,  until  Scot- 
land, from  Edinbugh  to  Thurso's  Waters,  rang  with  the  cry  of  "India  for 
Christ." 

Then  let  the  minister  turn  the  thoughts  of  his  people  to  missionary  /lis- 
tory.  Let  the  biography  of  the  world's  great  leaders  in  these  lines,  be  found 
in  the  home  and  in  the  church.  Let  the  people  see  the  heroism  of  others, 
the  Paul's,  the  Xavier's,  the  Cory's,  the  Cokes,  and  the  JMoft'att's — men  of 
like  passions  with  themselves.  If  you  would  have  the  fuel  of  information 
fanned  into  the  flame  of  inspiration,  let  the  people  come  in  contact  with 
these  heroic  spirits.  Let  them  live  in  the  high  atmosphere  of  their  conse- 
cration. Let  the  enthusiasm  of  these  great  souls  be  breathed  into  them. 
Bring  to  them  Ashbury,  whose  life  reminds  us  that  America  is  Christ's  by 
missionary  labor.  Let  them  see  the  Carys  and  the  Morrisons  and  the  Nel- 
sons, men  "of  whom  the  world  was  not  worthy."  Lead  them  to  the  feet  of 
Duff,  whose  life  was  the  embodiment  of  a  concentrated  enthusiasm,  and 
whose  last  published  words  are,  "Wherever  I  wander,  wherever  I  stay,  my 
heart  is  in  India,  in  deep  sympathy  with  her  multitudinous  inhabitants." 
Then  bring  to  them  Livingstone,  \\\\o  died  where  he  lived — in  the  heart  of 
Africa — a  man  who  "by  faith  subdued  kingdoms,  wrought  righteousness, 
obtained  promises,  stopped  the  mouths  of  lions,  quenched  the  violence  of 
fire,  escaped  the  edge  of  the  sword,  out  of  weakness  was  made  strong, 
waxed  valiant  in  fight,  turned  to  flight  the  armies  of  the  aliens." 

Let  the  home  ministry  bring  to  the  church  the  inspiration  of  these  heroic 
souls.  Let  her  feel  their  heart  throb  and  their  pulse  beat.  And  when  the 
Are  of  enthusiasm  has  been  kindled  by  human  examples  of  consecrated  toil 
let  the  minister  lead  his  people  to  the  Altar  of  God,  and  wait  until  the  breath 
of  the  Almighty  is  upon  them. 


WORK  OF  THE  HOME  MINISTRY  FOR  FORKIOX  MISSIONS.  73 

And  thus  wlien  tliC  minister  himself  is  roused  to  the  responsibility  of  lead- 
ership; when  his  church  is  informed  as  to  facts,  educated  to  duty,  inspired  to 
.action,  he  will  have  accomplished  his  work,  and  Zion  shall  awake,  Jerusa- 
lem shall  put  on  her  strength,  and  in  His  own  time,  the  mountain  of  heath- 
enism "shall  flow  down  at  the  presence  of  the  Lord." 

Discussion. 

L.  L.  DOGGETT,  Oberlin  :  The  old  fashioned  way  of  studying  nothing 
but  geography  at  missionary  meetings  is  bad.  Let  us  rather  take  up  some 
subject  and  try  to  prove  it  by  facts  and  incidents  drawn  from  some  particu- 
lar field.     Dr.  Pierson  well  illustrates  this  mode. 

Wm.  J.  Gray,  Chicago  :  We  are  apt  to  pay  more  attention  to  the  army  at 
than  the  base  of  supplies.  Our  work  at  home  lies  with  two  classes,  those 
who  would  go  and  can't  and  those  who  could  go  and  won't.  We  must  aid 
and  encourage  the  one,  and  instruct  and  stimulate  the  other. 

J.  B.  RODGERS,  Auburn :  Let  us  bring  this  matter  right  home.  A  great 
many  of  us  preach  in  churches  around  our  respective  seminaries.  Let  us 
give  them  a  series  of  missionary  addresses.  There  was  one  duty  of  the 
]iome  church  not  mentioned  in  the  paper,  and  that  is  prayer.  This  is  the 
great  need  of  our  missionaries. 

H.  Garabed,  New  Brunswick:  Sympathy  and  talk  equal  minus  zero.  A 
cascade  one  hundred  feet  high  makes  a  big  noise,  but  a  very  little  stream;  the 
lake  is  deep  and  noiseless.  We  have  one  mouth,  but  two  hands  and  two 
feet.     Speak  once  and  practice  four  times. 

Wm.  W.A.LLACE,  Union:  Dr.  Pierson  is  an  example  of  the  fact  that  we 
•can  be  missionaries  for  the  heathen,  if  not  to  them.  We  don't  give  the  peo- 
ple enough  opportunity.  They  are  ready  and  willing  to  support  missions  if 
we  would  but  give  them  the  chance. 

W.  M.  TuFFTS,  Princeton:  Princeton  Seminary  has  raised  enough  money 
to  send  out  Mr.  Foreman.  If  a  seminary  can  do  this,  a  church  can  do  the 
same. 

Paul  Desjardins,  Boston :  The  people  have  an  idea  that  the  more  they 
give  to  missions  the  poorer  they  will  be  at  home.  It  is  just  the  opposite. 
"We  are  members  of  one  body.  The  man  who  works  for  self  will  lose  self ; 
but  the  man  who  works  for  others  will  save  them  and  also  himself. 

A.  F.  Williamson,  Crozer :  One  mistake  of  missionary  meetings  is  to 
appeal  first  to  the  pocket.  We  must  use  a  baited  hook  and  thus  get  to  the 
pocket  indirectly.    Impress  the  needs  of  the  field  and  then  apply  for  money. 

R.  P.  Wilder,  Union:  This  world  will  never  be  evangelized  through 
benevolence.  Let  the  churches  keep  their  own  missionaries  in  the  field,  and 
they  will  thus  have  a  personal  interest.  Boards  and  missionaries  are  in 
favor  of  the  scheme. 


74  INTER-SEMINARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

J.G.Scott,  University  of  Virginia:  We  may  mai<e  many  appeals  of 
different  kinds  to  the  church  at  home,  but  the  appeal  we  should  make  most 
impressive  is  to  go  to  these  destitute  places  of  the  earth. 

C.  A.  KiLLIE,  Princeton :  A  church  not  far  from  here  sent  out  a  young 
man  who  desired  to  go  as  a  home  missionary,  and  raised  for  his  support  $25 
per  month.  Their  next  step  was  the  supporting  of  two  schools  in  China. 
And  the  next  the  sending  out  one  of  their  number  to  the  field. 

J.  C.  Mllrose,  McCormick:  Foreign  missions  is  the  work  not  of  a  sect 
l3ut  the  whole  church.  In  a  little  town  of  the  west  they  try  to  support  four 
or  five  ministers  where  one  man  could  supply  them.  Thus  there  is  great 
loss  of  force. 

J.  I.  Vance,  Hampden  Sydney:  Home  missions  and  foreign  missions 
are  one.  There  is  something  more  wanted  than  money.  The  great  thing 
needed  is  prayer. 


The  Urgency  of  the  Call. 

By  David  A.  Murray,    Princeton  Seminary. 

A  certain  man  went  down  from  Jerusalem  to  Jericho  and  fell  among 
thieves  who  stripped  him  of  his  raiment  and  wounded  him  and  departed 
leaving  him  half  dead.  And  by  chance  there  came  along  a  certain  Priest  that 
way,  and  he,  when  he  saw  him,  passed  by  on  the  other  side.  Pretty  soon 
after  a  Levite  also  came  along  and  stopped  and  looked  at  him  a  moment  and 
then  hurried  along  on  the  other  side.  But  after  a  while  there  was  another 
man  who  came  along  the  road,  and  some  way  when  he  saw  him  he  couldn't 
bear  to  go  on  and  leave  that  poor  naked  wounded  man  in  the  hot  sun  to  die 
and  rot  by  the  wayside,  and  so  he  got  down  and  went  over  to  him  and 
worked  with  him, — tied  up  his  wounds  the  best  he  could  and  managed  to 
contrive  some  way  to  carry  him  on  to  a  place  where  he  would  receive  suit- 
able care  and  attention.  I  take  it  that  this  good  Samaritan  had  a  call  to 
stop  and  help  that  poor  man  who  fell  among  the  thieves. 

We  will  not  now  spend  time  to  consider  the  case  of  the  Priest  and  Levite, 
or  our  assigned  subject  is  "The  Urgency  of  the  Call"  and  we  have  no  evi- 
dence that  they  had  any  call.  I  think  men  are  too  hard  on  the  poor  Priest 
and  Levite.  If  I  understand  the  narrative  aright,  there  was  a  very  rich 
nobleman  who  had  just  died  down  at  Jericho,  and  the  Priest  was  hurrying 
down,  on  an  errand  of  mercy,  to  administer  consolation  and  sympathy  to 
the  bereaved  relatives,  and  if  he  had  stopped  to  look  after  the  poor  wounded 
traveler  the  Levite  would  have  got  ahead  of  him  and  received  the  handsome 


THE  URGENCY  OF  THE  CALL.  75 

fees.  And  then  besides,  most  books  on  church  government  say,  that,  while 
all  Christian  duties  may  be  performed  by  any  one,  yet  the  church  officer 
must  have  a  special  call,  and  the  Priest  and  Levite  were  church  officers.  I 
do  not  wish  to  say  one  word  to  lower  the  dignity  of  the  sacred  off.ce  or  to 
depreciate  the  necessity  for  divine  promptings  and  direction  before  entering 
upon  it;  but  I  must  say,  for  my  own  part,  when  I  see  the  millions  of  heathen 
souls  lying  under  the  hot  suns  of  Africa  and  India,  bruised  and  naked,  with 
festering  wounds  of  sin  eating  into  their  very  life  and  dragging  them  down 
to  worse  than  death, — I  care  not  whether  with  or  without  the  prestige  of 
official  sanction, — I  think  I  should  not  go  far  wrong  in  following  the  prompt- 
ings of  human  sympathy  and  trying  as  I  could  to  do  something  toward  lift- 
ing some  of  them  up  and  carrying  them  to  the  Great  Physician,  who  alone 
is  able  to  heal  their  loathsome  deadly  wounds.  That  is  about  how  I  would 
illustrate  a  call  to  the  foreign  mission  field.  The  call  of  human  sympathy, 
which  every  human  being  should  hear  and  feel  is  call  enough.  If  one  has 
the  supernatural  call  of  some  divine  manifestation,    only  so  much  the  better. 

I  know  not  whether  I  am  now  speaking  only  to  those  who  still  shudder 
at  the  thought  that  "After  death  comes  the  Judgment,"  or  whether  there 
may  be  here  some  of  those  who,  in  the  kindness  of  their  hearts,  have  devised 
that  theory  by  which  unfortunates  are  to  be  given  a  chance  to  subscribe  to 
various  doctrinal  dogmas  at  a  post  mortem  annex  of  probation.  But,  it  makes 
no  difference.  I  see  the  heathen  as  they  are,  now  wicked, — desperately  wick- 
ed, steeped  in  every  form  of  degraded  vice  and  cruelty,  reaping  even  now' 
the  fearful  firstfruits  of  the  harvest  of  death  and  laying  up  for  themselves  a 
terrible  reckoning  for  that  day  when  every  man  shall  be  judged  according 
to  his  works.  Aside  from  all  vexed  questions  of  eschatology  there  is  an. 
amount  of  misery,  violence  and  God-defying  crime  now  in  those  dark  lands 
where  sin  still  has  full  sway,  which  ought  to  be  enough  to  stir  the  pity  and 
compassion  of  anyone. 

What  constitutes  a  (■«// to  foreign  mission  work?  What  constitutes  the 
call  which  actuated  the  first  foreign  missionaiy,  the  first  that  ever  under- 
took to  enter  upon  this  work?  I  refer  now  not  to  Carey  or  Judson,  Moffat 
or  Martin,  men  whose  names  will  shine  on  the  rolls  of  heaven  along  with 
martyrs,  prophets  and  patrearchs.  I  refer  not  now  to  the  Apostles  and 
evangelists  of  the  early  church:  not  even  to  Abraham,  Noah  or  Enoch,  but 
earlier  still.  Theologians  are  accustomed  to  talk  about  decrees  and  plans 
designed  to  bring  about  the  glory  of  God,  but  I  read  in  my  Bible  that  God 
so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son  to  save  it,  that  the 
world  through  him  might  have  life.  I  can  understand  something  of  what 
such  words  mean.  I  can  understand  how  a  man  will  do  and  suffer  almost 
anything  to  save  from  death  or  danger  one  that  he  loves.  I  remember  a  few 
years  ago  a  railroad  wreck  where  a  train  at  full  speed  crashed  into  the  rear 
of  the  train  that  I  was  on,  driving  the  last  coach  half  way  through  the  one 
before  it.  There  was  a  lady  in  that  second  coach  who  had  left  her  little  babe 
asleep  on  one  of  the  hinder  seats,  and  just  at  the  moment  of  collision  was 
standing  at   the  forward  end  of  the  car.     In  the. midst  of  the  terrible  crash, 


76  INTER-SEMINARY  MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

when  the  shriekuTg  passengers  were  rushing  for  the  doors,  windows  or  any- 
where in  a  mad  effort  to  escape,  that  mother,  forgetting  all  about  the  terror 
and  danger  of  the  situation,  rushed  back  and  crawled  under  among  the 
smashing  splintering  wreck  to  find  and  rescue  her  child.  Do  we  need  to  ask 
why  she  did  it?  Do  we  realize  what  it  means  when  God  tells  us  that  the  mo- 
tive that  prompted  Christ  to  come  as  a  missionary  for  our  redemption  was 
precisely  the  same  feeling  that  prompted  that  mother  to  risk  her  life  amid 
the  terrors  of  that  railroad  wreck  to  save  her  child? — God  so  loved  the 
world.  Have  we  Godlike  love  in  our  hearts?  If  so,  then  we  have  received  a 
call  to  the  mission  work.  We  have  received  the  call.  If  you  have  a  dread  of 
going  as  a  missionary,  you  would  be  safer  to  drop  your  Christianity  and  go 
back  to  the  world  again,  for  when  you  pray  to  God  for  Christian  grace  you 
may,  sometime,  in  answer  get  this  grace  of  Godlike  love  that  will  impel 
you  to  leave  home  and  go  off  as  Christ  did  and  help  to  save  a  lost  world. 

I  have  said  this  much  because,  what  a  call  is,  must  modify  the  question  as 
to  how  urgent  it  is.  If  a  call  was  some  mysterious  token  or  supernatural 
agency,  I  would  have  nothing  to  say.  But  it  is  a  plain  matter,  if,  as  I  be- 
lieve, a  call  to  missions  is  just  as  plain  and  practical  and  unmysterious  as  a 
call  to  dinner  or  supper.  You  hear  the  bell,  and  you  smell  the  savory  odor 
of  the  meats,  and  these  two  joined  with  your  internal  sensation  of  appetite, 
form  a  call  which  is  easily  enough  recognized.  Do  you  say  this  is  a  crude 
and  far-fetched  simile?  I  think  there  are  men  who  could  be  literaly  said  to 
have  a  hunger  and  thirst  after  the  salvation  of  souls.  Suppose  we  follow  out 
the  figure.  If  these  three  elements  constitute  the  call  we  can  attempt  to 
form  some  estimate  how  loud  it  is.  As  to  the  last  part, — the  internal  appe- 
tite,— of  course  I  can't  say  anything.  It  is  not  easy  to  predict  the  state  of 
another's  appetite  precisely.  For  I  do  not  know  your  habits,  as  to  the  use  of 
narcotics,  or  how  much  you  have  "eaten  between  meals"  of  the  forbidden 
fruits  of  worldly  ambitions  and  pleasures.  But  the  other  two  features  can 
come  before  us  more  tangibly, — the  gloroius  results  and  reports  that  come 
to  us  are  appetizing  odor,  and  the  loud  ringing  cries  for  help  which  come 
from  the  very  needs  of  the  situation, — The  joy  of  hundreds  and  thousands 
who  have  found  the  Light  and  are  now  by  whole  villages  and  communities 
pressed  into  the  kingdom,  and  the  wretched  condition  of  the  millions  who 
are  still  in  sin,  pressed  down  under  a  load  of  misery,  in  darkness.  I  do  not 
add  as  part  of  the  call  the  plea  that  the  boards  have  funds  sufficient  to  send 
out  more  men  than  are  ready,  for  whether  they  now  have  or  not  that  comes 
in  on  the  other  side  as  really  part  of  the  work.  Tliose  poor  dyspeptics  who 
haven't  appetite  enough  to  lead  them  out  among  the  heathen  themselves, 
can  at  least  use  their  best  endeavors  to  raise  the  funds  to  support  those  al- 
ready there  and  send  out  more, — many  more. 

What  is  the  strength  of  the  call,  first,  that  comes  to  us  from  the  needs  of 
the  heathen?  Shall  I  stop  to  picture  their  condition.  There  are  those  here 
who  can  and  have  or  will  depict  those  needs  in  a  far  better  manner  than  I 
could  hope  to  do.  So  I  shall  not  attempt  to  gather  up  a  collection  of  month- 
ly statistics  and  touching  incidents  to  show  how  small  a  glimmer  of  light 


THE   URGENCY    OF    THE   CALL.  77 

has  yet  been  kindled  in  that  world  of  darkness.  That  missionary  chart,  witli 
which  you  are  all  familiai-,  with  its  single  tiny  white  square  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  broad  field  of  black  heathendom,  ought  to  be  a  sufficient  appeal  to 
the  hearts  of  all  of  us.  And  there  are  men  here  too  from  the  work  itself, 
who  can  tell  you  about  the  millions  in  China  who  drag  through  life  under 
the  nameless  wretched  dread  of  indefinite  transmigrations  into  beasts;  whose 
highest  hope  for  heaven  is  eternal  unconsciousness.  It  seems  to  me  that 
speaks  of  supreme  misery  in  this  present  life.  There  are  those  here  who  can 
tell  you  of  the  millions  of  India  found,  by  the  laws  of  caste  and  the  power 
of  the  priests  in  a  veritable  soul-slavery;  of  the  millions  of  Africa  whose  be- 
nighted wretchedness  wrung  groans  and  prayers  of  anguish  from  the  dying 
Livingstone.  There  need  be  and  will  be  in  this  convention,  no  lack  of  testi- 
mony to  show  the  dreadful  wretchedness  of  all  those  masses  who  are  sunk 
down  in  a  very  living  death,  with  no  knowledge  of  the  Savior  who  came  and 
died  just  to  redeem  them  from  that  misery  and  eternal  death.  I  think  that 
aspect  of  the  call  is  Joud  and  plain  enough  that  no  one  need  fear  he  is  going 
into  this  work  unbidden. 

My  subject  is  ''The  Urgency  of  the  Call."  This  same  subject  has  been 
treated  from  year  to  year  before  you,  and  yet  so  vast  are  the  advances  and 
changes  in  the  aspects  of  the  work  abi^oad  that  the  meaning  of  this  subject 
must  almost  be  changed  in  the  course  of  a  single  year.  The  needs  of  Japan 
a  year  ago  are  not  the  needs  of  Japan  to-day.  The  work  there  that  appealed 
to  the  world  only  a  year  or  two  ago  is  past  now,  whether  it  has  been  proper- 
ly done  or  not,  it  is  too  late  now.  Other  work  is  imperative  there  to-day. 
Faster  than  the  changing  colors  of  the  kaleidoscope,  the  social,  political  and 
religious  condition  of  that  people  is  being  overturned  and  melts  away  into 
new  shapes  and  tints  and  forms.  Thei"e  preeminently  the  work  of  each  da}' 
must  be  done  on  that  day  or  not  at  all.  The  old  lorras  of  its  antiquated 
civilization  are  all  being  dissolved  and  melted  over  in  the  processes  of  a  blood 
less  revolution.  Whatever  stamp  is  to  be  impressed  upon  the  new  national 
life  must  be  stamped  there  before  the  world  is  cast  and  her  civilization  cry 
stalized  again  into  firm  established  forms.  There  is  a  new  and  changing  work 
thei-e  each  day  that  must  be  done  then  or  not  at  all. 

In  China  too  there  is  now  already  to  be  seen  the  premonitions  of  a  similar 
revolution.  The  barriers  are  being  burned  away  with  wonderful  rapidity  and 
the  rocks  of  flinty  conservatism  are  being  melted  before  the  fires  of  gospel 
love.  The  King  of  Siam  is  openly  favorable  and  even  encourages  and  fosters 
the  work  in  his  dominions.  India  and  Africa  are  both  completely  and  cordi- 
ally opened  up  to  the  missionary.  Even  the  gates  of  Islam  are  slowly  open- 
ing. But  all  these  places  are  equally  opened  up  to  other  forces  and  influences 
of  another  character.  And  these  other  forces  of  the  great  arch -adversary  are 
all  on  hand  and  working.  The  printing  press  and  newspaper  are  carrying  the 
western  civilization  and  the  western  religion  into  all  the  most  obscure  parts  of 
the  sunrise  kingdom,  but  as  well  it  is  caryingin  a  perfect  flood  of  infidel  and 
other  pernicious  literature.  A  great  Hindo  publishing  house  in  Southern 
India  with  a  calportage  system  extending  to  all  parts  of  the  country  is  send- 


78  INTER-SEMINARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

ing  out  annually  millions  of  publications  whose  object  is  anything  else  than 
the  advancement  of  the  cause  of  King  Immanuel.  Commerce  and  explora- 
tion have  opened  up  the  whole  Asiatic  aud  Afi'ican  world  to  European  and 
American  influences,  but  that  means  that  they  have  opened  them  up  to  a 
swarm  of  European  aud  American  vices  as  well.  The  church  must  maintain 
her  side  of  the  conflict  adequately  or  else  lose  it.  The  work  of  evangelizing 
the  world  is  not  to-day  a  thing  for  the  statistician  to  count — so  many  years, 
at  so  many  a  year.  It  is  a  matter  of  struggle  who  shall  hold  the  reins  of 
power  in  the  reconstructed  systems  of  the  very  near  future. 

A  few  hundred  years  ago  certain  forces  in  God's  providence  determined 
that  the  civilization  of  Mexico  and  South  America  should  be  Catholic  and 
the  rest  of  the  North,  Protestant  and  so  they  remain  to-day.  Three  centuries 
ago  the  duplicity  of  a  French  Monarch  and  the  cruelty  of  Spanish  persecu- 
tion determined  that  France  and  Spain  should  be  left  out  of  the  list  of  re- 
deemed nations  in  the  great  reformation,  and  so  they  have  continued  to  this 
day.  A  crisis  as  momentous  as  that  great  reformation  is,  upon  the  heathen 
world  just  now.  As  their  reform  is  not  from  within  but  without,  it  lies  with 
us  to  say  ^^•hether  any  one  of  these  great  heathen  nations  shall  carry  the 
work  on  to  blessed  completion  or  whether,  like  France  and  Spain,  they  shall 
sink  back  again  into  a  state  of  more  utter  hopelessness'  than  before.  Does 
such  a  crisis  of  affairs  constitute  a  call  or  would  not  a  strange  term  be  more 
appropriate. 

In  the  face  of  all  this  crisis,  as  consecrated  soldiers  of  Christ,  dare  we, 
without  special  orders  to  stay  at  home,  go  and  settle  down  contentedly  in 
some  little  comfortable  village  in  Ohio,  New  Jersey  or  Virginia,  where 
about  the  most  that  we  can  say  of  our  life  work  is  that  some  hundred  or  so 
cliurch  oflicers  and  Christians,  as  able  as  we,  have  been  helped  or  relieved 
by  us  somewhat  from  their  religious  duties  to  their  neighbors,  their  families 
and  themselves?  That  is  perhaps  a  bold  view  of  the  case,  but  I  am  speaking 
comparatively;  it  is  practical  and  too  near  true.  There  is  no  use  of 
our  picturing  to  ourselves  a  romantic  career  of  home  missionary  zeal  for  the 
destitute  and  neglected.  If  we  don't  go  abroad,  we  are  going  to  settle  down 
just  as  all  our  predecessors  in  the  classes  before  us  have  done.  They  had 
these  same  romantic  notions  as  we  have;  but  now  we  see  them  scattered 
around  in  these  small  towns,  working  hard  and  earning  their  salaries  no 
doubt, — nor  would  I  depreciate  this  part  of  the  great  Master's  work.  Each 
along  side  of  ministers  of  one  or  two  other  denominations,  competing  for 
their  share  of  the  church-goers  of  the  community  and  all  combining  togeth- 
er to  keep  out  the  Methodists  or  the  Presbyterians  as  the  case  may  be. 
There  is  danger  to  us  as  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  Methodists  or  Congre- 
gationists  in  this  country  perhaps,  that  the  Levite  will  get  in  ahead  of  us 
and  capture  the  fat  positions.  There  wasn't  any  record  of  the  doctors  fight- 
ing over  the  poor  man  that  fell  among  the  thieves. 

I  am  sure  we  do  not  fully  appreciate  the  situation,  or  we  could  hardly  stop 
to  discuss  the  urgency  of  the  call.  Here  is  all  heathendom  opened  up  to  the 
religious  and  unreligious  influences  of  the  west.     Nations  that  for  centuries 


THK    VKCENCV    OF    THE   CALL. 


had  hemmed  themselves  in  with  pride  and  prejudice  throwing  wide  their 
doors  for  the  new  and  the  improved.  Some  one  or  some  force  is  going  to 
determine  what  course  this  great  revolution  in  these  venerable  old  nations  is 
to  take;  and  it  is  going  to  be  determined  in  the  next  few  years— within 
the  lifetime  of  the  men  here  present.  It  is  being  determined  and  must  be  de- 
termined now.  It  seems  almost  a  sarcasm  to  speak  of  the  urgency  of  the 
call.  When  the  cannons  of  war  are  out  and  the  storm  of  battle  has  closed 
down  thick  and  fierce,  when  the  opposing  force  begins  to  waver  and  at  last 
a  breach  has  been  made  in  the  enemies  works,  would  you  say  that  the  soldier 
then  had  a  call  to  press  forward  onto  the  enemies  line.  Could  any  single 
man  at  such  a  time  refuse  to  move  forward  without  capital  crime,  disgrace 
and  treason?  Don't  you  believe  that  God  is  leading  and  controlling  the  af- 
fairs of  this  world?  Don't  you  believe  that  he  is  leading  and  directing  his 
forces  just  as  readily  as  any  other  general?  And  when  both  by  his  word 
and  by  his  providence  he  gives  the  order,  "Forward,"  for  a  grand  charge  all 
along  the  front  of  heathenism,  ought  not  that  command  to  be  as  real  to 
you  and  to  me  as  the  command  of  a  military  captain?  Shall  we  stand  and 
debate  with  ourselves,  whether  or  not  we  shall  go,  and  if  we  do  go,  think  we 
are  undertaking  a  great  and  meritorious  sacrifice.  This  situation  of  aftairs 
and  the  urgency  of  the  crisis  brings  to  my  mind  a  little  passage  back  in  the 
Old  Testament  book  of  Esther,— one  that  always  had  a  kind  of  fascination 
for  me,  Mordecai  is  urging  Queen  Esther  to  go  in  and  intercede  with  the 
King  on  behalf  of  his  people  the  Jews,  and  when  she  hesitates  and  makes 
excuses  he  replies:  "For  if  thou  altogether  boldest  thy  peace  at  this  time 
then  shall  enlargement  and  deliverance  arise  to  the  Jews  from  another  place 
but  thou  and  thy  fathers  house  shall  be  destroyed."  God  is  governing  this 
M'orld  and  he  is  going  to  bring  about  his  purposes.  No  doubt  about  that.  I 
confess,  I  never  could  feel  moved  by  the  thought,  that  all  God's  plans  for  the 
salvation  of  the  world  must  fail  and  Christ  died  in  vain,  unless  we  are  faith- 
ful to  our  duty  as  evangelists.  God's  purposes  are  not  going  to  be  balked  by 
our  unfaithfulness.  But  it  will  make  some  difference  to  us.  God  will  see  to 
his  part.  But  it  is  to  our  interest  to  see  to  our  part  that  we  be  faithful.  In 
that  great  struggle  of  our  internecine  war,  our  fathers  and  brothers  fought, 
on  opposite  sides  it  may  be,  some  of  them  were  in  victories  and  some  in  de- 
feats, some  in  prisons  and  some  in  triumphs,— it  matters  not;  the  God  of 
battles  ordered  all  wisely.  But  to-day  each  one  of  them  personally  by  his 
friends  and  neighbors  is  honored  and  esteemed  according  as  he  was  valiant, 
brave,  faithful.  God  will  give  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  to  his  Son  for  his 
inheritance  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  his  possession,— no 
doubt  about  that.  But  we  must  win  our  crowns  if  we  would  reign  with  him 
in  glory. 

And  God  is  bringing  about  the  conversion  of  the  world  just  now  with 
wonderful  rapidity.  A  perfect  wave  of  pentecostal  blessing  is  sweeping  up 
the  Congo  in  Africa.  A  similar  baptism  visited  Northern  India  a  short  time 
ago.  Japan  is  almost  reviving  the  memories  of  the  South  Sea  Islands;  con- 
verted "a  nation  in  a  day."  The  China  inland  mission  and  others  have' plant- 


So  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

ed  a  leaven  in  the  center  of  that  vast  country,  which  even  now  is  worI-;ingf  sov 
rapidly  that  men  of  faith  think  they  can  see  the  day  near,  when  with  God'& 
blessing  the  whole  lump  shall  be  leavened.  The  successes  equally ^with  the 
needs  of  the  work  call  loudly  for  laborers.  Indeed  that  is  to  me  the  strong- 
est part  of  the  call.  This  generation  has  a  privilege  which  I  firmly  believe 
their  grandchildren  will  not  have,  —  the  privilege  of  blessing  the  millions  of 
famishing  unfortunates  with  the  bread  of  life — preaching  Christ  and  his  in- 
finite love  where  it  waS  not  known  before.  I  say  privilege,  for  I  think  angels, 
in  heaven,  and  saints  in  the  millenium  might  look  back  and  envy  us  the 
privilege  of  engaging  in  so  blessed  a  mission  of  love. 

I  think  we  are  not  left  entirely  in  the  dark  as  to  what  shall  constitute  the 
joys  of  heaven.  Do  you  realize  what  the  Saviour  meant  when  he  bade  us 
make  to  ourselves  friends  now  "who  shall  receive  us  into  the  eternal  habi- 
tations? Will  love  and  gratitude  be  any  less  real  there  than  here?  Now  I  don't 
suppose  there  will  be  any  rivalry  there  among  the  number  of  Sabbath  school 
teachers,  pastor.  Christian  parents,  friends  and  companions,  all  of  whom 
have  helped  to  bring  any  particular  soul  into  the  kingdom.  I  do  not  mean 
there  will  be  any  jealousy  for  its  divided  love  and  gratitude.  And  yet  I  do 
think  it  would  make  my  heaven  grander  and  sweeter  to  be  surrounded  there 
by  a  band  of  those  whom  my  personal  ministry  had  been  the  means  under 
God  of  bringing  into  that  happy  home.  If  earthly  gratitude  is  sometimes  so 
great  for  little  favors,  that  cause  comfort  for  an  hour  or  a  day,  what  must  be 
the  unbounded  glow  of  love  and  gratitude,  which  redeemed  souls  there  feel 
for  those,  whose  selfsacrificing  labors  have  secured  them,  not  the  transient 
joy  of  days,  but  the  unmeasured  bliss  of  eternity. 

I  have  in  mind  now  two  veteran  missionaries,  pioneers  in  India,  whose 
appeals  for  the  work  that  was  so  dear  to  them,  many  of  you  have  listened  to 
almost  within  a  few  months.  But  R.  G.  Wilder  and  Dr.  Gordon  are  botk 
now  in  the  mansions  of  heavenly  rest.  Could  they  now  come  back  to  us  and 
speak  to  us  for  an  hour  of  what  they  see  and  enjoy,  if  the  language  of  earth, 
be  adequate  to  tell  such  reports,  I  think  they  could  now  bring  us  testimony^ 
that  would  make  our  hearts  burn  to  go  and  win  for  ourselves  friends  tO' 
brighten  our  heaven  with  a  glory  of  love  throughout  eternity. 

Discussion. 


W.  S.  Nelson,  Lane:  The  call  to  foreign  missions  resolves  itself  into  two 
parts,  opportunity  and  privilege.  The  opportunity  is  ours.  The  question  of 
privilege  is  personal.  Many  of  its  elements  are  beyond  our  control.  We 
must  decide  it  upon  our  knees. 

T.  C.  Wilson,  McCormick:  One  very  important  element  in  the  urgency  of 
the  call  is  the  bigotry  of  Mohammedanism  and  Roman  Catholicism. 

K.  H.  Basmajain,  Crozer:  Missionary  work  is  the  life  of  Christianity . 
The  churches  of  the  orient  are  not.dead  because  of  a  lack  of  pictures  or  fine 


A   GODLY   JEALOUSY.  8l 

churches,  but  the  missiouavy  spirit.  They  once  had  glorious  missionaries, 
but  not  now. 

Rr  P.  Wilder,  Union:  This  must  be  a  personal  matter;  but  may  decide 
it  upon  wrong  grounds.  They  complain  of  climate  or  their  own  lack  of 
ability,  ignoring  the  facts  that  they  can  find  any  variety  of  climate  in  the 
mission  field,  and  that  missionary  work  requires  all  kinds  and  grades  of 
ability.  The  call  comes  through  human  agencies.  God  is  in  the  "still  small 
voice." 

H.  GaraBED,  New  Brunswick:  The  call  to  ^lohammedan  countries  is 
most  urgent.  Get  the  spirit  of  Moses  when  he  smote  the  Egyptian.  Go  like 
him  and  smite  the  Turk,  not  to  be  sure  with  the  sword,  but  with  God's  Word. 

F.  H.  Northrop,  Garrett:  People  talk  of  a  lack  of  feeling.  If  any  man 
can  study  the  field  and  have  no  feeling  he  is  not  called. 

J.  A.  Eakix,  Western:  One  of  the  hindrances,  most  commonly  advanced 
is  want  of  means.  I  do  not  believe,  there  was  ever  a  time,  when  a  man  bent 
on  going  ofiered  himself,  and  was  not  finally  sent. 

L.  H.  Thayer,  Yale:  The  individual  element  is  very  important.  It  is 
absolutely  necessary  to  a  man's  safety,  when  he  has  arrived  in  the  field,  that 
he  be  called. 

F.  E.  HosKiNS,  Union:  It  is  wrong  to  be  in  haste.  One  had  better  extend 
than  shorten  his  work  of  preparation.  Many  have  failed  on  this  account. 


A  "Godly  Jealousy." 

By  Rev.  William  Elliot  Griffis,  D.D.,  Boston,  Mass. 

The  single  and  sufficient  basis  of  foreign  missions  is  the  command  of 
Jesus  Christ,  who  was  God  manifest  in  the  flesh.  To  send  the  Gospel  to  the 
heathen  is  as  simple  a  thing  to-day  as  it  was  in  the  time  of  the  Apostles. 
The  command  of  the  Christ,  so  brief  yet  so  world-encompassing,  needs  no 
detailed  explanation.  Commentary,  except  the  commentary  of  intelligent 
action,  is  an  impertinence.  To  substitute  any  other  reason  for  foreign  missions 
is  treason.  To  buttress  this  first  mstitute  of  Christianity  with  minor  mat- 
ters of  human  origin  or  ecclesiastical  manufacture  is  to  degrade  and  insult 
the  Master.  To  interpolate,  dilute,  narrowly  interpret,  hamper  in  operation, 
or  prohibit  full  enforcement  of  this  the  Redeemer's  last  command  is  sin.  He 
himself  likens  to  the  rock-founded  house,  sure  to  stand,  the  man  who  obeys 
and  teaches  others  to  obey  these  sayings  of  his.  Of  him  who  hears  but  does 
not  heed  is  prophesied  certain  ruin.  However  fair  the  superstructure  built  on. 


82  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY   ALLIANCE. 

sand,  certain  destruction  and  vanishing  belong  to  it  when  the  storm  strikes 
and  stress  comes.  To  found  the  foreign  missionary  enterprise  on  anything 
but  the  word  of  Jesus,  to  build  its  motives,  doctrines,  or  methods  apjrt  from 
him,  is  to  build  on  sand,  to  become  Antichrist,  and  to  forfeit  God's  blessing. 
I  doubt  not  for  one  moment  that  all  of  us  agree  in  this  general  proposi- 
tion, that  of  Christ,  who  was  God  manifest  in  the  flesh,  in  Christ,  are  for 
Christ,  are  the  missionary  thought,  word,  and  work.  Yet  it  is  good  for  us, 
one  and  all,  to  reconsider  and  meditate  from  time  to  time  upon  our  Lord's 
bfe  and  words,  so  as  to  test  our  own  motives,  doctrines,  and  methods,  and 
thus  hold  that  single  eye,  which  he  so  commends.  Age  and  custom  tend  to 
make  even  human  things  sacred,  and  "what  is  gray  becomes  religion."  We 
find  that  Paul,  the  greatest  of  all  missionaries,  was  full  of  godly  jealousy  lest 
the  Spirit  of  his  Master  should  be  lost  and  his  words  be  forgotten.  One  of 
his  own  favorite  terms  is  "simplicity" — "the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ." 
The  same  word,  as  he  wrote  it,  yet  another  in  English,  is  "single-minded- 
ness."  In  this  insistence  and  emphasis  he  did  but  reflect  the  mind  of-  his 
Lord  and  Master.  Amazingly  versatile  in  vocabulary,  metaphor,  illustration, 
and  argument,  and  equipped  with  all  the  panoply  and  armament  of  rhetoric, 
he  was  yet,  as  the  servant  of  his  Master,  absolutely  single-minded.  "This 
one  thing  I  do"  was  his  motto.  For  him  to  live  was  Christ,  and  for  Christ 
alone.  What  he  bade  others  attempt  he  himself  achieved,  keeping  the  unity 
of  the  Spirit,  and  uniting  his  own  heart  in  consecration  to  his  Saviour. 

We,  then,  who  go,  or  help  others  to  go,  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature,  who  have  enlisted  for  life  in  the  work  of  evangelizing  and  disciplin- 
ing the  nations,  do  well  to  have,  like  Paul,  the  model  missionary,  a  godly 
jealousy,  that  iji  us  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Chiist  be  ever  maintained  invio- 
late. With  chaste,  virgin  mind,  espoused  in  love  to  our  Lord,  let  us  ask 
anew,  "Why  go  as  m.issionaries?"  Why  believe  in,  why  give  to  and  for  the 
missionary  cause  and  work  ?  With  virgin  mind,  too,  as  defined  by  Augus- 
tine— Integra  fides,  solida  s/>es,  sinccra  caritas — shall  we  not  wait  and  pray, 
spend  and  be  spent,  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus,  knowing  that  in 
this  war  there  is  no  discharge?  Whether  we  go  afar  in  body  or  in  spirit,  in 
order  that  we  may  have  the  perfect  faith,  enduring  hope,  and  guileless  love, 
v/e  must  scrutinize  our  motives,  our  doctrines,  and  our  methods. 

I.  As  to  Motives.  In  the  history  of  modem  missionary  effort  we  can  dis- 
cover several  noticeable  changes  in  the  attitude  of  Christian  people  toward 
foreign  missions.  Whereas  the  Apostles  had  but  one  idea  and  motive,  even 
that  embodied  in  their  very  name,  apostoloi — men  sent  forth  with  orders, 
missionaries — modern  Christians  have  been,  in  too  many  instances,  rather 
too  versatile  in  motive  to  signally  illustrate  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ. 
Both  Roman  Catholic  and  Protestant  missions  on  this  continent  were  begun 
largely  as  political  engines  or  commercial  adjuncts.  To  stimulate  and  pre- 
serve the  fur  trade,  to  extend  the  empire  of  France  and  the  glory  of  the 
sovereign,  the  French  sent  out  noble,  self-sacrificing  men  into  the  American 
forests  to  convert  the  Indians.  To  checkmate  their  rivals  in  the  race  for 
acres  and  dollars,  the  Dutch  and  British  followed,  with  little  if  any  improve- 


A   GODLY    JEALOUSY. 


83 


ment  in  motive.  So,  also,  tluoughout  Asia,  mIicu  missionary  xvoik  was 
undertaken  by  the  State  Churches  of  Europe,  despite  noble  exceptions  in  the 
mdividuals,  the  general  aim  in  view  was  the  extension  of  trade,  political 
power,  conquest  of  land,  or  national  glory.  True,  the  Christian  statesman, 
so  called,  and  as  they  believed  themselves  to  be,  thought  they  were  doing 
God  service  by  increasing  the  public  estate  of  Christendom  and  in  exalting 
their  own  sovereign's  glory,  whether  of  Portugal,  Spain.  France,  Holland'! 
or  Great  Britain.  Yet  if  we,  with  more  discernment  and  enlightenment,  as 
we  thmk  and  believe  ourselves  to  have,  condemn  such  motives  as  un- 
scriptural  and  un-Christlike,  shall  Me  not  also  look  in  the  mirror  of  God's 
Word  lest  our  eyes  have  in  them  old-fashioned  motes  or  new  fashioned 
astigmatism  that  prevents  clear  vision  ? 

What,  then,  should  be  our  single  motive?    How  shall  we  reach  and  abide 
m  the  simphcity  that  is  in  Christ?  What  is  the  object  of  our  going  in  person 
or  by   substitute,    to  the  picket  line,    to  the  battle  front,    in  the  holy  war  of 
the  Kingdom? 

I  have  read  with  acute  interest  much  of  the  literature  of  the  subject-the 
ordination  addresses    the   charges  to  ministers   and  missionaries-and  have 
studied  the  rule  and  tread  of  the  pohcies  pursued   by   the  great  missionary 
agencies,  representative  societies  and  unrepresentative  corporations,  without 
finding  as   much   of  this  singleness  of  motive  as  is  Scripturally  desirable 
Without  a  question,  noble  results  have  been  attained,  and  matchless  heroism 
and  consecration  have  been  nourished    by    those   moved    to    preach    Christ 
among  the  heathen,  and  sent  out  by  institutions  only  partially  evangelical 
Mamfestly,  too,  it  was,  is,  and  for  a  long  time  yet  will  be,  difficult  to  unite 
men  with  only  one  pure  motive  in  so  self-sacrificing  a  work  as  forei-n  mis 
sions.  As  in  our  Civil  War,  was  it  patriotism,    pure  and  simple,    as  a  force 
that  moved  men  to  enlistment?     Of  course,    men  will  be  found  who  now 
vociferate  that  it  was;  but  testimony,  unshakable  evidence,  observation  ex- 
perience,    ordinary  knowledge  of  human  nature,    prove  that  many  motives 
moved  the  individuals  in  the  hosts  that  came  forward  a  million  strong.  The 
living  body  was  one,  patriotism;  the  parasites  on  it  were  many.  Many  wore 
the   blue  and  took  the  pay  for  glory,  excitement,   pure  fun;  to  be  with  the 
crowd  of  companions,  to  don  the  fancy  uniform,    to  gain  the  bounty     to  en- 
joy   the    splendid  game   of  hunting  man.      Yet  the  noblest  hero,    ihe  be.t 
soldier,  the  servant  of  the  age  and  the  ages,    the  approved  of  Heaven    Mas 
the  patriot.  For  God,  country,  home,   the  single-minded  man  was  be^  t    be- 
cause he  led  others.    -Better,"  as   Napoleon  said,    "an  army   of  deer  com- 
manded by  a  lion,  than  an  army  of  lions  commanded  by  a  deer." 

Now,  in  the  war  in  which  the  Great  Captain  bids  us  enlist  for  life  ihe 
motive  we  should  have  is  the  supreme  one  of  love  to  Christ  and  the  obedi- 
ence which  manifests  it.  The  object  of  missions  is  not  exploration  trade 
politics,  science,  civilization,  denominational  prestige,  grand  as  these  are 
iatere.t_.d  m  them  as  we  ought  to  be,  sure  as  they  are  to  follow  in  the  train 
of  missionary  labor.  Nor  is  the  prime  object  of  Christian  evangelization  as 
Jesus  states  it,    to  save  souls  from   going  down  to  hell,    nor  to  make  sure  of 


84  INTER-SEMINARY  MISSIONARY   ALLIANCE. 

their  reaching  heaven,  nor  to  extend  abroad  our  special  form  of  the  faith, 
nor  to  guarantee  the  increase  of  our  pet  dogmas  of  orthodoxy,  nor  to  throttle 
and  inter  particularly  obnoxious  heresies.  To  put  these  first,  or  to  encour- 
age Christians  in  such  ideas,  is,  we  think,  to  dishonor  Christ  and  introduce 
distraction  into  what  should  be  our  suigle-mindedness;  it  is  to  add  clay  to 
the  feet  of  fine  brass;  it  is  to  strengthen  a  rock-foundation  with  sand.  What 
has  passed  and  still  passes  for  orthodoxy  is  often  as  great  a  hindrance  to  the 
missionary  spirit  and  enterprise  as  heresy  so-called.  Lutherism,  Calvinism, 
Anglicism,  Premillenniumism,  State  Churchism,  and  various  otlier  isms, 
whether  of  the  high  or  low  sort,  as  church  history  shows  on  its  ample  page, 
have  operated  as  disastrously  as  do  Universalism,  Unitarianism,  Liberalism 
so  called,  and  another  ism,  the  present  debates  about  which  are  now  especial- 
ly virulent  because  of  the  shameful  personal  elements  behind  it.  When  the 
lava  cools  and  the  volcano  becomes  extinct,  and  we  look  back  on  another 
crater  in  the  mighty  row,  we  may  find,  as  in  the  past,  that  the  differences 
which  divide  brethren  on  minor  points  in  this  century  are  no  greater  than 
those  which  in  the  first  caused  Paul  and  Barnabus  in  their  travels  to  turn 
their  faces  in  opposite  directions,  or  which  made  the  Apostle  to  the  Gentiles 
and  the  Apostle  to  the  Israelites  differ  in  the  style  of  their  epistles,  and 
most  of  the  twelve  to  pursue  different  paths  while  climbing  the  same  moun- 
tain to  see  the  same  sun  rise.  It  is  only  by  dwelling  on  the  high  plain  of 
singleness  of  devotion  to  Christ,  our  Lord,  that  these  minor  differences  sink 
out  of  sight.  It  is  by  keeping  the  personal  and  purely  human  elements. 
warm  that  the  air  becomes  refractive  enough  to  not  only  make  them  visible 
above  the  horizon,  but  to  cause  them  to  loom  up  with  exaggerated  import- 
a'.ice.  To  make  disciples  of  Christ,  to  proclaim  the  good  news  of  God,  to- 
warn  and  teach  every  man  in  all  wisdom  that  we  may  present  every  man 
perfect  in  Christ,  to  be  in  spiritual  travail  till  Christ  be  formed  in  men  —that 
is  the  motive  set  before  us  in  the  New  Testament.  Our  work  is  in  time 
and  for  the  living  now.     Secret  things  belong  to  God. 

II.  Doctrines.  To  accomplish  rightly  the  end  set  before  us  by  our  Lord, 
what  doctrines  shall  7ve  preach?  Mark  the  form  of  the  question.  It  is  not 
what  I,  of  one  name,  or  you,  of  another,  or  he,  of  a  third,  shall  preach.  If 
that  were  the  point  in  view,  we  might  go  on  to  teach  and  preach  our  special 
Pauline,  Cephasian,  or  Apollonian  tenets,  undisturbed.  I  say  nothing  of 
governments,  special  doctrines  or  dogmas,  claimed  to  be  fundamental  truths, 
by  certain'portions  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church,  nor  do  I  wish  here  to  dis- 
cuss any  plan  or  theory  of  Christian  union.  I  ask  simply.  What  doctrines 
should  the  missionary,  who  in  singleness  of  heart  obeys  Christ's  command, 
preach  and  teach? 

No  answer  can,  of  course,  be  only  that  given  in  the  Scriptures:  Preach 
tire  Word,  the  Gospel,  Christ  crucified,  repentance  toward  God,  and  faith  in 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  wrath  and  tire  blessing  to  come,  life  everlasting. 
But  this,  it  seems  to  me,  if  done  faithfully,  will  exclude  much  of  what  is 
parasitic  in  theology,  much  of  what  passes  for  orthodoxy,  much  of  the  in-, 
heritances  of  Latin  and  mediaeval  philosophy,  much  of  tire  vast  collection  of 


A    GODLY    JEALOUSY.  85 

deductions  and  iuferenceLi  and  speculations  now  hardened  into  dogmas,  much 
of  purely  national  or  sectarian  origin  shaped  by  local,  temporal,  or  denomina- 
tional necessities,  as  well  as  extra-Scriptural  hypotheses,  assertions,  or  age- 
old  customs  called  religion.  For  example,  to  speak  concerning  present 
things,  and  one  matter  which  especially  concerns  no  one  church  or  denomi- 
nation, and  therefore  one  which  cannot  wound  the  convictions  of  any  in  this 
representative  body,  there  is  the  idea  of  "probation,"  so  called.  It  is  hotly 
debated  now  in  print  and  script  and  mouth,  to  the  great  joy  of  printers,  ink- 
makers,  and  paper-sellers.  With  a  storm-center  in  Eastern  Massachusetts, 
and  a  personal  quarrel  behind  it,  it  has  become  a  tornado  which  threatens 
dire  results.  Without  the  excessive  human  element  in  the  affair  its  history 
thus  far  might  have  been  unimportant.  A  temporary  victory  of  one  of  the 
wholly  unnecessary  sides  formed  has  been  won — that  is,  won  on  the  plat- 
form, but  not  on  the  floor — a  victory  which  repeated  occasionally  will  surely 
wreck  the  oldest  and  grandest  foreign  missionary  society  on  this  continent. 
Yet,  as  niissioners  or  commissioners,  what  have  we  to  do  with  the  whole 
matter  of  "probation"?  N  othing  whatever.  Probation  is  an  idea  of  heathen 
philosophy,  not  of  divine  revelation.  Neither  the  word  nor  the  idea  is  con- 
tained in  the  Bible.  The  heathen  Greeks  speculated  upon  probation,  and 
taught  its  supposed  limitations;  Buddhism  also  teaches  probation,  it  is  all 
probition — hells,  purgatoi"ies,  and  heavens  numberless,  with  extinction  at 
the  end  as  a  goal;  but  Christianity  knows  no  probation.  To  teach  one  pro- 
bation and  call  that  orthodoxy,  is  as  much  Antichrist  and  unscriptural  as  to 
teach  two  probations.  Read  the  sermons  supposed  to  be  sound  in  ortho- 
doxy, read  the  debates  at  DesMoines  and  Springfield,  and  one  cannot  fail  to 
notice  the  dearth  of  Scripture  in  them  all.  Or,  if  isolated  passages  are 
wrested  so  as  to  support  the  notions  either  of  the  single  or  the  double  pro- 
bationists,  one  is  reminded  of  the  spiral  marvels  of  a  Damascus  blade.  The 
sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  Word  of  God,  seems  for  the  nonce  turned 
into  a  corkscrew  to  let  out  the  effervescence  of  human  conceits.  Strange  to 
say,  both  these  single  and  double  barreled  probationists  are  Calvinists,  so 
called.  If  so,  did  not  all  mankind  have  its  only  probation  in  Adam,  and 
through  him  lose  it?  However  this  may  be,  we,  as  proclaimers  of  the  good 
news  of  God,  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  extra-Bibical  and  pagan  idea  of 
probation,  whether  one  or  many.  We  find  men  in  sin.  All  the  men  to  whom 
we  offer  Christ  are  already  in  sin  and  condemnation.  "God  hath  concluded 
them  all  in  sin,  that  he  might  have  mercy  on  them  all."  "He  that  believeth 
not  is  condemned  already."  This  world  is  lying  in  wickedness.  "Now  is 
the  accepted  time,  and  now  is  the  day  of  salvation."  Man  is  no  longer  in 
moral  equilibrium,  but  already  in  sin,  and  under  wrath  to  coine.  We  are 
not  to  go  to  men  who  have  still  an  opportunity  to  be  holy  before  they  sin, 
or  to  be  saved  before  they  are  lost.  They  are  sinners,  they  are  lost  already, 
and  we  are  to  go  and  proclaim  the  good  news  of  God — salvation  by  repent- 
ance towai-d  God  and  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  With  all  due  respect  to  the 
eminent  men  on  both  sides  of  the  impertinent  probation  controversy,  and 
with  equal  respect  to  the  printers,  editors,  ink  and  paper-makers,   the  whole 


86  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

discussion  over  unanswerable  questions  and  extra-Bibical  orthodoxy  or 
heterodoxy  is  of  small  importance.  Extract  the  personal  element,  and  it 
would  not  have  heat  enough  to  live.  Let  Gi'eek  and  pagan  philosophy  keep 
by  itself,  let  Buddhism  have  its  monopoly  of  one  or  many  probations,  but 
let  us  preach  Christianity  as  Christ  and  the  Apostles  delivered  it  unto  us. 
They  told  us  nothing  about  probation,  neither  about  one,  nor  two,  nor 
many.  Let  the  Latin  fathers,  let  Romanism,  let  philosophers;  let  theologians 
so  called,  let  lecturers  and  disputants  fight  out  the  question  by  themselves. 
Let  them  have  their  say,  and  let  them,  as  they  claim,  "force  the  logical  con- 
clusion," settle  all  the  details  of  eternity,  hades,  hell,  heaven,  probation  one 
or  many,  to  their  own  satisfaction.  Would  to  God  they  could  do  it  without 
distracting  attention  from  the  word  of  Christ  and  the  work  pressing  us  on. 
As  missionaries,  as  pastors,  as  Christians,  we  are  to  hold  and  preach  the 
Gospel  in  all  its  simplicity,  refraining  even  from  applying  human  logic  to 
pry  open  the  hidden  things  of  Scripture,  or  to  disturb  their  divine  silences, 
refusing  even  to  want  to  know  what  a  Romanist,  a  Buddhist,  or  an  orthodox 
logical  conclusionist  pretends  to  know,  or  itches  to  know,  or  thinks  it  neces- 
sary to  the  existence  of  Christianity  to  know.  Uzzah  was  orthodox,  and  he 
has  had  many  imitators.  And  what  we  say  of  this  tenet,  which  is  now  not 
only  in  the  air  but  also  in  the  ground,  springing  up  and  defiling  many,  we 
say  of  all  doctrines  not  vital  to  the  Gospel  or  Scripturally  connected  with  it. 
However  dearly  cherished  may  be  a  custom,  a  belief,  if  it  be  not  of  the 
simple  Gospel,  let  us  beware  of  laying  it  on  tender  consciences  or  of  calling 
it  fundamental  truth.  Whatsoever  is  not  of  faith  is  of  sin,  and  even  a  con- 
viction is  not  faith  that  saves.  Though  anchored  in  our  souls  by  the  linked 
vinculum  of  ancestry,  nursery  tradition,  or  education  under  master  minds, 
we  are  bound,  as  the  years  go  on,  to  challenge  all  human  philosophy,  how- 
ever clothed,  lest  it  spoil  us,  and  to  study  to  attain  in  doctrine  the  purity  and 
the  simplicity  that  are  in  Christ. 

in.  Methods.  A  godly  jealousy  should  ever  be  kept  in  the  scrutiny  of 
our  methods.  Both  at  home,  as  pastors  of  churches,  lay  Christians,  or 
officers  of  missionary  societies,  we  need  keep  the  virgin  mind  so  commended 
by  the  great  Apostle  and  the  single  eye  commended  of  our  Lord.  Again  we 
emphasize  the  proposition  that  the  work  of  Christian  missions  is  essentially 
the  same  as  in  the  days  of  the  twelve  primitive  missionaries  called  apostles. 
We  at  home  are  in  danger  of  societyism,  or  corporationism,  to  the  neglect 
of  individual  responsibility.  As  the  work  spreads  in  many  lands  there  must 
necessarily  be  increase  of  office,  clerical,  and  committee  work,  and  the  ap- 
plication of  rules  of  business  at  the  base  of  supplies;  there  must  be  secretaries, 
treasurers,  purveyors  and  more  or  less  executive  machinery.  There  are 
many,  too,  who  think  that  even  large  amounts  of  invested  funds,  with  legal- 
ly protejted  corporations,  and  high-salaried  officers  who  are  not  pastors  of 
churches,  and  therefore  more  or  less  remote  from  living  contact  with  the 
contributing  people,  are  necessary  to  carry  out  successfully  the  missionary 
command  of  Christ.  Now,  so  long  as  this  machinery  and  these  instruments 
are  kept  strictly    to  their  ostensible  work,    they  are  in  accord  with  the  spirit 


A    CODLY    JEALOUSY.  87 

of  the  New  Testament,  and  worthy  of  all  honor.  Vet  while  human  nature 
is  what  it  was  and  is,  while  (;he  page  of  history  is  open,  there  is  a  virtue  in 
godly  jealousy.  When  the  individual  Christian  feels  his  personal  responsi- 
bility of  prayer  and  offering  and  work  less  because  he  can  write  a  check  or 
drop  a  coin  for  this  or  that  church  board  or  corporation,  then  dishonor  to 
Christ  begins.  No  commutation  of  interest  and  obedience  can  be  made  by 
mere  gift.  Every  member  of  Christ's  church  is  none  the  less  relieved  of 
prayer  and  work  for  the  coming  of  the  kingdom  because  of  ecclesiastical  or 
corporate  machinery.  Because  of  the  tendency  of  the  busy  pastor  or  layman 
to  shirk  or  transfer  responsibility,  abuses  grow  up  and  the  beginnings  of 
lording  it  over  God's  heritage  become  fixed  usurpations  of  power,  to  the 
destruction  of  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ.  Pure  as  Loyola,  or  any  other 
Jesuit,  in  conscience,  the  able  men,  even  though  Protestants,  so  called,  keen 
in  knowledge  of  human  nature,  enjoying  power  as  the  hungry  enjoy  food, 
are  in  danger  of  becoming  masters  of  the  situation,  and  of  directing  and  even 
dictating  for  the  lay  multitude  and  the  busy  pastors  what  shall  be  the  policy 
and  methods  of  the  church  or  denomination.  Long  tenures  of  office,  thorough 
knowledge  and  easy  skill  in  the  manipulation  of  assemblies,  backed  often  by 
the  prestige  of  invested  funds,  present  opportunities  and  facilities  for  execu- 
tion of  policies,  against  which  unorganized  individuals,  however  enlightened, 
may  protest  in  vain,  are  too  tempting  opportunities  for  human  ambition 
•pretexting  noble  motives;  so  that  it  may  even  come  to  pass  that  an  un- 
i-epresentative,  close  corporation  becomes  a  theological  court,  and  decides 
questions  never  meant  to  come  within  its  jurisdiction.  What  was  originally 
begun  to  further,  by  the  simplest  and  easiest  means,  the  purely  missionary 
idea,  becomes  an  engine  for  the  propagation  of  one  set  of  sectarian  notions 
and  the  destruction  of  another  set.  An  official  pronunciamento  and  a  private 
creed  may  be  substituted,  by  a  skillful  and  adroit  set  of  officials,  for  the 
historical  faith  of  the  churches,  and  the  whole  power  of  the  misused  ma- 
chinery be  used  to  further  temporary  ends.  So  intrenched  may  such  misuse 
of  power  become  that  to  remonstrate  against  it  actually  makes  one  liable  to 
the  suspicion  of  being  unsound  in  the  faith.  To  make  even  honest  criticism 
is  to  be  considered  as  making  an  attack  against  the  sacred  work  of  missions 
itself.  One  may  love  the  missionary  cause  as  life  itself,  but  right  between 
that  cause  and  one's  love  and  prayers,  influence  and  gifts,  may  rise  a  power 
that  can,  under  our  ordinary  methods  of  delegated  responsibility,  practically 
say,  "Serve  us  in  our  way,  or  you  cannot  serve  Christ." 

Now,  as  Christian  men  who  are  to  be  pastors,  teachers,  missionaries,  I 
say,  be  loyal  to  your  church,  be  loyal  to  the  church-boards,  societies,  and 
institutions  dependent  upon  and  created  by  the  church;  shake  hot  lightly  the 
popular  confidence,  refrain  from  any  but  thoughtful  and  necessary  criticism. 
Let  none  of  us  act  out  the  cowardly  part  so  often  played  by  men  who  are  so 
in  earnest  about  securing  their  stipend  that  they  neglect  not  only  the  organ- 
ized beneficence  of  their  churches,  but  even  forget  the  command  of  Jesus 
laid  on  them  to  take  active  and  personal  part  in  the  world's  evangelization. 
The  man  who  puts  self  before  Christ,  and,  for  fear  of  not  being  able  to  com- 


83  INTER-SEMIXARY  MISSIONARY  ALLIANCE. 

maud  or  demand  his  own  salary,  forbears  to  lay  on  his  people's  conscience 
their  missionary  duty  and  opportunity,  is  triply  at  fault.  He  is  a  coward 
himself,  he  is  unjust  to  his  people,  and  he  dishonors  his  Lord.  He  has  no 
right  to  relax  his  own  sense  of  responsibility,  he  has  no  right  to  allow  them 
to  forget  theirs.  Instead  of  being  a  faithful  pastoi",  he  is  in  this  thing  rather 
a  companion  and  ally  of  the  destroyer.  Such  a  man  deserves  to  come  to 
grief,  and  some  observation  of  such  perverters  of  the  sacred  oflice  makes  me 
think  that,  as  a  fact  of  history,  they  do  come  to  grief,  and  their  folly  reacts 
to  their  own  discomfiture.  Even  at  apparent  personal  saci^ifice,  let  us  be 
loyal  to  the  missionary  agencies  of  our  churches;  yes,  even  when  we  believe 
they  have  minor  abuses  clinging  to  them  like  barnacles  on  a  ship's  bottom; 
yes,  even  when  we  think  the  original  object  of  their  existence  has  been  ob- 
scured, or  their  methods  have  been  preverted,  love  for  Christ's  woi-k  ought 
to  be  ours  as  truly  as  is  the  infant  born  of  a  mother  her  own.  When  that 
child  is  claimed  by  rivals,  when  the  cause  beloved  of  Christ  and  of  us  is  in 
danger  of  hurt  because  of  contending  forces,  it  is  ours  to  act  the  true 
parent's  part.  We  do  not  need  to  be  Solomons  to  know  where  the  true  love 
lies.  WHiatever  you  or  I  may  think  or  feel,  the  work  must  go  on,  the  com- 
mand of  Jesus  must  be  heard,  our  prayers,  our  gifts,  our  all,  must  suffer  no 
abatement,  while  we  patiently  wait,  courageously  maintain  right,  risk  con- 
fort  and  even  reputation,  to  have  the  wrong  righted  and  the  simplicity  of 
the  missionary  idea  restored.  We  are  ever  to  teach  our  people,  and  keep  it 
clear  before  our  own  minds,  that  responsibility  cannot  be  wholly  delegated, 
that  no  excuse  for  lack  of  zeal  aud  sacrifice  will  avail  when  the  Lord  calls  us 
to  reckoning.  On  the  other  hand,  let  us  be  zealous  v.ith  a  godly  jealousy 
of  societies  and  corporations  lest  they  abuse  sacred  trusts  or  pervert,  even 
in  minor  points,  the  simplicity  of  the  missionary  idea.  They  must  be  made 
to  know  that  the  sending  of  missionaries  to  the  heathen  is  as  simple  a  thing 
to-day  as  it  was  in  apostolic  times,  and  if  boards  and  corporations  neglect 
their  proper  work,  or  employ  their  delegated  powers  for  other  than  Gospel 
purposes,  single  churches  may  revert  to  the  ancient  methods  of  evangeliza- 
tion, and  even  mighty  corporations,  fat  with  bequests  and  investments,  may 
melt  and  fade  away. 

Brethren,  whether  we  are  to  be  country  ministers,  village  pastors,  or  city 
preachers,  let  us  be  loyal  even  to  the  work,  confide  in  and  inspire  confidence 
in  good  men,  believe  in  right  methods,  but  ever  he  jealous  to  maintain  the 
simplicity  of  the  aiiostolic  idea  in  missions. 


THE    BEST    MODE   OF    EVANGELIZING    THE    NEGRO.  89 


The  Best  Mode  of  Evangelizing  the  Negro. 

By  Rev,  R.  A.  Goodwin,  Petersburg,  Va. 

"Teaching'  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you." — Malt. 
sS,  part  of  2otlt  Terse. 

I  understand,  my  brethren  of  the  AUiance,  that  you  selected  this  question 
with  reference  to  this  race  in  our  own  country  rather  than  in  Africa.  It 
may  be  more  fully  stated  in  these  words — The  best  mode  of  evangelizing 
the  negroes  in  the  United  States. 

By  negroes  we  understand  all  who  are  in  whole  or  in  part  descendents  of 
the  black  race  of  Africa.  Ethnologically  they  might  be  divided  irto  the 
negro  and  the  colored  man,  but  for  our  present  purpose  it  will  be  mor.-  ;^;  ofit- 
able  to  think  of  these  8,000,000  of  people  more  with  reference  to  t)'i  :,^-  than 
to  partial  distinction  of  race. 

They,  or  their  immediate  ancestors,  were  slaves.  For  the  pn.  t  fifty  years 
the  vast  majority  of  them  have  lived  in  the  Southern  States.  But  let  it  be 
remembered,  for  the  fact  will  have  an  important  bearing  on  what  is  to  fol- 
low, that  i/iis  whole  country,  and  not  the  South  only,  is  respojisible  for  the 
presence  of  this  race  among  us.  Brethren  of  the  North,  let  me  remind  you 
that  one  among  the  many  glories  of  the  Old  Dominion  is  that  she  first  op- 
posed the  slave  trade.  And  I  believe,  that  thirty  years  before  the  war  she 
would  have  liberated  every  slave  on  her  soil,  if  she  had  knov.m  what  to  do 
with  them.  I  allude  to  this  in  the  interest  and  for  the  love  of  peace.  There 
can  he  no  peace  that  is  not  founded  upon  trtith.  It  was  only  an  accident  of 
climate  and  soil  that  congregated  the  negro  slaves  at  the  South,  iiut  the  fact  in 
i860  was,  they  were  nearly  all  there,  and  in  1S87  it  is  still  a  fact — a  fact  inten- 
sified, for  they  have  nearly  doubled  in  number.  The  white  population  at  the 
South  was  not  dense.  The  great  majority  of  these  slaves  were  upon  large 
plantations,  far  away  from  towns  and  villages.  Thousands  of  them  did  not 
know  the  faces  of  their  own  masters,  and  a  white  man  or  woman,  other 
than  the  overseer,  was  to  many  of  them  a  curiosity.  What  were  called  the 
house  servants  were  placed  in  very  different  circum.stances.  The  cooks, 
nurses,  maids,  waiters,  coachmen  and  gardeners  were  in  constant  contact 
with  civilization  and  christianizing  influences.  Their  children  played  with 
the  children  of  their  masters,  and  grew  up  to  take  their  parents'  places. 
From  this  glance  at  the  condition  and  surroundings  of  these  people,  it  will 
readily  be  seen,  that  when  emancipation  came  they  were  not  on  a  dead  level. 
The  old  field  hands  were  one  class,  the  house  servants  were  another.  These 
latter,  having  the  most  intelligence,  after  the  war  became  the  leaders  among 
their  people.  They  and  their  children  have  risen  intellectually,  pecuniarily 
and  T  trust  morally,  during  the  past  twenty  years.  I  believe  that  the  large 
majority  of  those  who   are   living  true   Christian   lives    are  from  this  class 


go  IXTER-SEMIXARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

Remember  the  field  hands  and  their  children  outnumbered  the  other  class, 
probably  five  to  one  throughout  the  South.  In  some  parts  of  it,  probably 
izucnty  to  one.  Why  was  this  subject  proposed  for  our  consideration?  Is 
there  any  thing  peculiar  in  the  religious  condition  of  this  race?  Do  they 
differ  materially  from  other  non-Christian  people? 

Let  us  see.  They  are  not  pagans,  as  were  their  uncivilized  African  ances- 
tors. They  are  not  heathen,  like  the  semi-civilized  nations  of  Asia.  They 
are  not  infidels,  like  some  highly  educated  people  in  Europe  and  America, 
and  yet  they  are  not,  strictly  speaking,  Christians. 

Of  the  negroes  in  the  Southern  States,  as  a  race,  it  can  be  truly  said — 
These  people  are  not  pagans,  nor  heathen,  nor  infidels,  nor  Mohammedans, 
nor  Jews,  nor  Christians,  and  yet  they  are  a  very  religious  people. 

"Christianity  is  the  system  of  doctrines  and  precepts  taught  by  Christ." 
A  Christian  is  one  who  believes  and  follows  the  doctrines  and  precepts 
taught  by  Christ.  A  Christian  people  is  one  who,  as  a  people,  believe  and 
follow  these  doctrines  and  precepts.  Surely  then  it  cai^not  be  affirmed  that 
the  negrois  of  the  South  are  Christians.  And  yet  you  cannot  find  a 
paople  who  profess  more  devotion  to  Christ.  Whose  hearts  warm  more 
quickly  at  the  mention  of  His  blessed  name,  and  whose  tears  flow  more 
freely  at  the  thought  of  his  sufferings  for  them. 

They  profess  to  love  Christ,  but  if  obedience  to  His  commandments  is  the 
test  of  their  love  for  Him,  He  "will"  surely  "profess  unto  them  I  never 
knew  you,  depart  from  me,  ye  loorkcrs  of  iniquity.'"  They  profess  to  be- 
lieve in  repentance,  but  they  do  not  expect  those  who  i"epent  to  forsake  their 
sins.  They  talk  much  oi faith,  but  it  is  faith  in  feeling,  dreams,  and  visions, 
and  not  faith  in  Christ.  They  hold  strongly  to  conversion,  but  conversioir 
with  them  has  no  bearing  upon  a  change  of  life.  It  consists  in  being  able 
to  recite  for  the  entertainment  of  those  who  have  been  converted  before 
them,  and  the  instruction  of  the  unconverted,  (so  as  to  help  them  reach  the 
same  happy  condition)  a  story  drawn  from  their  vivid  imaginations  of 
things  on  earth,  in  hell  and  heaven,  which  they  claim  to  have  seen  and 
heard.  In  the  country  they  practice  rites,  which  they  may  have  received  by 
tradition  from  Africa,  or  may  have  received  direct  from  the  devil.  My 
dear  brethren,  I  beg  that  I  may  not  be  misunderstood.  What  has  been  said 
is  true  of  the  race.  By  this  I  mean,  it  is  true  of  the  great  majority  of  the 
negroes  in  the  Uttited  States.  Thousands  of  them  have  risen  from  this  state 
of  ignorance  and  degradation,  and  many,  I  am  thankful  to  believe,  are  liv- 
ing in  the  pure  light  of  our  holy  religion.  These  are  exceptions.  I  trust 
they  are  ''first  fruits"  of  a  great  harvest.  Before  that  harvest  can  be 
reaped  the  church  must  know,  must  bcli.ve,  the  truth  concerning  their  present 
religious  condition. 

They  ari  Antinomians;  and  this  horrible  caricature  of  Christianity  is 
mingled  with  rites  which  must  be  called  heathenish.  The  true  Christians 
among  them  are  generally  from  the  number  of  those  who  themselves  had,  or 
whose  parents  had,  Christiati  owners  with  rvhoin  they  came  in  contact.  In 
discussing  this  question  I  think  it  important  to  bear  this  fact  in  mind. 


THE   BEST    MODE   OF    EVANGELIZING    TUE    NEGRO.  9I 

To  the  great  majority  of  them  freedom  is  hcense.  They  claim  to  be  free- 
men in  Christ  Jesus;  but  they  do  not  understand  this  to  mean  that  they  are 
free  from  the  bondage  of  sin,  but  only  from  the  penalty— free  to  sin  ■without 
punishDicnt.  The  ten  commandments  they  say  are  for  the  white  people,  but 
not  for  them.  This  is  the  opinion  of  the  great  majority  who  have  heard  of 
these  commandments,  and  probably  those  who  have  heard  of  the  moral  law 
as  coming  from  God  do  not  constitute  a  majority  of  the  race.  In  a  word, 
their  religion  does  not  teach  the  moral  lata  as  a  rule  of  life,  and  hence  their 
religion  knows  nothing,  or  very  httle,  of  that  "holiness  M'ithout  which  no 
man  shall  see  the  Lord."  Truly,  my  brethren,  to  evangelize  this  race  is  a 
great  work.  This  work  our  Lord  emphatically  commands  the  American 
Church  to  perform. 

Jesus  Christ  is  "head  over  all  things  to  His  Church."  Before  He  as- 
cended to  Heaven,  as  the  Mediator,  He  sa-d,  "All  power  is  given  tinto  me 
in  Heaven  and  on  earth."  He  overrules  the  affairs  of  this  world  with  ref- 
erence to  His  Church— surely  no  believer  -will  deny  this — but  if  this  be  so, 
then  it  follows,  that,  however  much  of  wickedness  and  wrath  there  may  have 
been  in  the  circumstances  of  the  slave  trade — of  slavery — and  of  the  hasty 
liberation  of  these  slaves,  yet  all  was  permitted  by — not  a  far  off,  uninter- 
ested, unsympathetic  moral  governor,  but  by— the  Head  of  the  church,  our 
blessed  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  allowed  them  to  be  taken  from  Africa  and 
brought  here.  He  allowed  them  to  remain  in  slavery  for  several  genera- 
tions, by  which  means  they  were  raised  above  their  ancestors.  He  allowed 
them  to  be  liberated  and  enfranchised  as  citizens  of  this  great  nation. 

If,  my  brethren.  God's  ways  are  seen,  and  God's  voice  is  heard,  in  history, 

and  if  the  God  of  history,  the  God  of  providence,  is  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 

then  let  the  church  in  America  hear  Him  speaking  in  history,  in  providence, 
and  in  His  Holy  Word,  "Go,  and  disciple  this  people,  teaching  them  to 
observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you."  We  cannot  expect 
Christians  in  England  or  any  other  foreign  church  to  do  this  M'ork.  The 
call  to  save  the  na*lions  in  Africa  and  Asia  is  as  loud,  or  perhaps  louder,  to 
them  than  to  us,  but  in  the  negroes  of  the  United  States  we  see  the  sick,  the 
lepers,  the  lame  and  the  blind,  brought  to  the  door  of  this  church.  Yes,  we 
may  say,  brought  here  by  the  Lord  Himself,  that  this  church  may  be  the 
voice  by  which  He  will  speak  to  them,  and  the  hand  by  which  He  will  heal 
them — "to  every  man."  to  every  church — "his  work."  To  this  church  He 
has  certainly  given  this  work  to  do.  I  do  not  say  He  has  -not  given  as 
much  other  work  also. 

By  the  American  Church  in  this  connection,  I  mean  the  body  of  Christ- 
ian believers  in  the  United  States.  I  know  not  where  we  could  find  a  bet- 
ter representation  of  this  church  than  here  in  this  Inter-Seminary-Alliance. 
You  come  from  the  North,  from  the  South,  from  the  East  and  West  of  this 
great  nation.  You  represent  different  denominations,  but  you  come  to- 
gether as  American  Christians  to  pray  and  labor  for  the  coming  of  the  King- 
dom. It  is  to  the  church  and  not  a  part  of  it,  that  the  Master  has  given 
this  work.     It  is  not  a  denominational  question.    But  further,  let  us  be  fully 


92  INT£R-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIAN'CE. 

assured  it  is  not  a  sectional  question.  My  brethren,  it  is  no  more  my  duty 
as  a  Southern  man,  than  it  is  yours  as  a  Northern  or  Western  man  to  labor 
for  the  conversion  of  this  people.  I  believe  the  Southern  people  can  do  bet- 
ter work  among  the  negroes  than  teachers  or  preachers  from  the  North,  or 
the  West,  because  t/iey  tinderstatid  the»i  better,  but  that  does  not  lessen  the 
responsibility  of  the  brethren  in  these  sections.  It  is  your  duty  and  mine, 
to  teach  these  people,  whatsoever  the  Lord  hath  commanded  them  to 
observe.  Teachers  ai-e  needed,  preachers  are  needed,  and  all  these  must  be 
supported.  Some  must  give  labor,  all  must  give  money  and  prayer  if  we 
would  do  our  duty.  I  repeat  it,  brethren,  this  is  not  a  sectional  question. 
This  duty  is  laid  at  the  door  of  th'e  church,  not  North  or  South,  but  at  the 
door  of  the  Church  of  America.  I  believe  that  the  realization  of  this  truth 
is  necessary,  before  the  work  can  be  accomplished,  or  even  undertaken,  on  a 
scale  at  all  commesurate  with  its  importance  and  magnitude. 

I  have  said  there  are  probably  thousands,  /  trust  many  thousands,  of 
colored  people  living  earnest  Christian  lives.  I  have  also  expressed  my  be- 
lief that  most  of  these  received,  either  directly  from  their  Christian  masters, 
or  through  their  parents  from  such,  the  fundamental  principles  and  precepts 
of  the  Gospel.  It  is  the  fruit  of  seed  sown  years  ago.  This  is  important 
as  showing  that  there  is  not  that  amount  of  Christian  fruit  to  be  seen  among 
these  people  which  might  reasonably  be  expected  from  the  amount  of  money 
and  effort  expended  upon  them  since  the  war.  Many  millions  of  dollars, 
nearly  all  of  which  came  from  the  white  people  of  the  South,  have  been 
spent  upon  the  negroes  in  public  school  education.  Intellectually,  they  have 
certainly  improved,  but  many  who  are  truly  interested  in  this  question  ex- 
press grave  doubts  whether,  as  a  people,  their  morals  are  better  than  they 
were  in  1865.  The  restraints  of  slavery  have  been  removed,  and  as  we 
have  seen,  the  restraints  of  the  Gospel  are  but  lightly  felt.  The  experiment 
has  been  sufficiently  tried  to  convince  the  Christian  Church  that  public 
school  education  does  not  evangelize  the  negro.  Millions  of  dollars  have 
been  given  Ijy  friends  at  the  North  to  Christianize  them,  but  alas,  another 
sad  truth  must  be  called  to  mind.  These  friends  could  not  trust  their  white 
brethren  at  the  South,  even  of  the  same  denomination.  They  could  not  be- 
lieve that  these  brethren  felt  any  true  interest  in  those  who  had  been  their 
slaves,  though  not  a  few  had  laboi'ed  and  prayed,  even  with  strong  cries  and 
tears,  for  the  souls  of  those  who  had  come  from  heathen  darkness.  The 
church  North  could  not  believe  the  church  South.  The  church  South  dis- 
trusted the  church  North.  So  sectional  bitterness,  and  not  the  love  of 
Christ,  carried  the  daj^;  and  money  flowed  freely,  at  times,  from  the  North 
to  the  South  not  to  evangelize  the  negi-oes,  as  the  Christian  givers  thought, 
but  most  of  it  went  to  build  up  the  false  religion  which  these  people  held — 
and  still  hold — and  what  is  sadder  still,  all  this  help  from  the  North,  which 
they  considered  the  land  of  liberty  and  enlightenment,  tended  to  confirin 
them  in  their  false  religion.  And  so,  my  dear  brethren,  there  are  many 
large  and  costly  churches  at  the  .South,  built  chiefly  with  money  given  by 
Northern   Christians,  in   which   the   gospel   of  the   grace  of  God   is   not 


THE   BEST    MODE   OF    EVANGELIZING    THE    NEGRO.  93 

preached,  but  a  false  religion ;  and  in  which  the  unscrupulous  politician  finds 
a  i-eady  hearing,  while  the  faithful  minister  of  Christ  is  excluded. 

I  think  all  who  know  the  facts  of  the  case  will  agree  that  giving  these 
people  money  for  religious  purposes  does  not  tend  to  evangelize  them,  but 
rather  tends  to  blind  them  to  their  true  condition.  Show  me  a  case,  in  the 
history  of  Christianity,  where  an  unchristianized  people  have  ever  been 
Christianized  by  giving  them  God's  Word  and  material  aid,  and  leaving 
them  to  use  that  aid  and  interpret  that  word  for  themselves.  If  this  could  be 
done,  there  would  not  be  this  call  for  foreign  missionaries,  and  yet  this 
policy  has  been  pursued  with  reference  to  the  negro.  One  reason  for  this 
we  have  seen — because  the  white  Christians  at  the  North  would  not  tnist 
their  brethren  at  the  South.  There  was  another  reason:  They  did  not  ktioxu 
what  rcligums  syston  the  iiegroes  held.  They  sent  committees  to  see  the 
people  upon  whom  they  bestowed  their  benefactions.  These  gentlemen  or 
ladies,  as  the  case  may  be,  met  with  great  congregatioiiS  of  colored  people 
gathered  for  the  purpose.  They  heard  them  sing  pathetic,  gospel  hymns, 
as  they  can  only  be  sung  by  the  em.ctional  negro,  with  his  rich  and  tearful 
voice.  They  heard  them  pray  in  that  child-like  confidence  which  is  so 
characteristic  of  the  humble,  sincere  Christian.  They  heard  them  preach 
about  the  love  of  J  esus  with  such  fervor,  that  it  seemed  a  heart  of  stone 
must  be  touched.  They  heard  them  insist  upon  the  necessity  of  faith,  re- 
pentance, conversion  and  love  to  God  and  man.  So  these  kind  friends  went 
back  to  the  North  convinced  that  they  were  right  in  not  believing  what 
white  Christians  at  the  South  said  about  the  negroes,  and  convinced  further 
that  the  negroes,  as  a  people,  were  an  earnest  Christian  race,  needing  only 
material  help  to  make  them  model  Christians,  and  public  school  education 
to  make  them  useful  citizens. 

These  kind  Nortiiern  friends  did  not  know  that  the  majority  of  these  peo- 
ple were  living  in  open  violation  of  the  Seventh  Commandment.  That  mo;:t 
of  them  did  not  recognize  the  obligations  of  the  Eighth  Commandment. 
That  no  reliance  could  be  placed  upon  the  word  of  many  of  those  who  were 
most  fervent  in  prayer,  in  praise,  and  in  the  pulpit.  And  the  saddest  part 
of  the  trulji  is  they  did  not  feel  condemned  in  their  own  consciences  for 
these  things.  Why  should  they?  They  did  not  recognize  the  obligation  of 
the  moral  law  as  a  rule  of  life.  They  received  the  money  with  gratitude 
and  tears;  but  they  were  not  taught  by  it  to  "observe  all  things  ^^■hatsoever 
I  have  commanded  you." 

I  heard  a  colored  clergyman  make  this  statement  in  a  church  council  of 
which  he  was  a  member:  "The  colored  man  has  two  laces ;  one  he  shows  to 
the  white  man,  the  other  to  his  own  people."  I  have  heard  the  same  senti- 
ment expressed  frequently,  in  private,  by  colored  men  of  judgment  and 
character.  I  believe  this  to  be  true,  and  in  my  opinion  this  fact,  namely, 
the  fiegro  appears  in  a  false  character  to  his  white  brethren,  and  in  his  true 
character  to  /lis  own  people,  is  a  very  important  fact  to  be  born  in  mind  in 
determining  the  best  mode  of  bringing  the  truth  of  the  gospel  to  bear  upon 
the  race.     In  religious  matters  ninety-nine  out  of  every  hundred  colored 


94  I^^TER-SEMINARY     MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

people  will  believe  and  follow  one  of  their  own  race  in  preference  to  a  white 
man,  though  that  white  man  may  have  proved  himself  to  be  a  warm  friend, 
and  though  they  may  acknowledge  his  pure  intentions  and  his  superior  char- 
acter and  intelligence.  They  insist  upon  having  colored  teachers  in  the  col- 
ored school.  They  have  much  race  pride,  and  ai-e  gratified  to  see  colored 
men  in  prominent  places.  They  are  closely  bound  together  by  this  race 
feeling.  I  suppose  it  may  be  accounted  for  by  the  natural  instinct  which 
draws  us  all  to  those  with  whom  we  are  allied  in  blood  and  interest ;  but 
this  natural  instict  in  them  was  greatly  strengthened  by  slavery.  The  child- 
ren of  Israel  were  bound  together  by  a  common  bondage  in  Egypt.  God 
designed  it  to  be  so.  They  were  to  be  a  separate  people,  so  the  nation  was 
born  in  bondage,  and  thus  prepared  for  their  after  training.  We  know  not 
God's  ultimate  intention  for  this  race,  and  it  may  not  be  wise  to  speculate 
about  it.  We  do  know  he  has  commanded  us  to  evangelize  them,  and  we 
should  use  the  wisdom  He  has  given  us  in  doing  this  great  work ;  therefore 
we  miist  take  account  of  this  race  feeling.  The  fact  that  the  negroes,  as  a 
race,  (of  course  there  are  many  exceptions)  will  not  let  the  white  man  know 
his  mind,  his  feelings,  his  intentions,  if  he  can  help  it,  and  the  further  fact 
that  he  greatly  prefers  teachers  and  preachers  of  his  own  race — only  toler- 
atittg  the  white  teacher  and  preacher  temporarily — these  facts,  I  think, 
clearly  indicate  that  we  must  provide  for  them  teachers  and  preachers  of 
their  own  race,  before,  as  a  people,  they  can  be  evangelized.  This  was  the 
apostolic  method.  This  method  has  been  found  the  most  advantageous  in 
all  the  missionary  operations  of  the  church  since  their  time.  The  white 
preacher  cannot  apply  the  Gospel  to  them  in  tJieir  true  life  as  their  own 
preacher  can.  He  does  not  know  them  thoroughly,  and  they  will  not  be- 
lieve that  he  knows  their  true  life  as  well  as  he  does  know  it. 

These  teachers  and  preachers  must  have  Christian  character.  'Tis  not 
enough  that  they  be  educated  thoroughly,  so  as  to  talk  well,  and  preach 
fluenllv.  As  a  race  they  talk  well,  and  many  of  them,  in  their  ignorance, 
are  eloquent  preachers.  More  than  this — nothing  less  than  thorough  charac- 
ter, together  with  education,  must  be  aimed  at  for  these  teachers  and  preach- 
ers. But,  brethren,  genuine  Christian  character  is  the  result  of  long  train- 
ing and  much  discipline.  The  public  school,  taught  by  their  o\vR  race,  and 
the  children  left  under  the  influence  of  their  ignorant  and  unchristianized 
parents,  is  not  the  place  to  develop  this  type  of  character.  Public  schools 
are  a  part  of  the  political  machine.  Teachers  are  changed  to  suit  parties, 
and  the  so  called  principles  of  the  teachers  change  with  the  parties  frequent- 
ly. We  need  Christian  schools.  '  To  have  them  we  must  have  Christian 
teachers,  and  these  teachers  must  not  be  educated  in  schools  conducted  by 
boards,  where  the  question  is  anxiously  discussed — shall  the  Bible  be  admit- 
ed,  or  continued,  in  the  public  schools?  When  we  have  trained  the  teachers 
let  them  teach  in  these  schools  by  precept  and  example,  and,  when  per- 
mitted, directly  from  the  Bible.  When  we  have  trained  the  preachers,  build 
churches  along  side  of  these  public  schools,  and  let  the  life  and  the  words  of 
the   pastor  and   preacher  tell   of  Christ's   holy  religion.      Let   the    Sunday 


TIIi;    DEST    MODE   OF    EVANGELIZING    THE    NEGRO.  95 

school  supplement  the  clay  school,  niid  be  sure  that  this  is  taught  by  men 
and  women  of  character.  But  where  are  these  teachers  and  preachers  to  be 
trained?  In  church  schools.  I  do  not  suppose  it  possible  to  establish  them 
all  over  the  country,  but  it  can  be  done,  if  the  church  really  desires  to  do 
her  God-given  work,  in  centres. 

When  one  of  these  schools  is  established,  separate  the  children  (and  the 
younger  the  better)  from  the  influences  of  their  homes,  not  entirely  from 
their  parents,  for  they  may  do  them  good,  but  let  them  look  to  the  teachers 
as  to  parents.  Let  these  teachers  be  really  the  God-fathers  and  mothers 
(the  fathers  and  mothers  for  God)  to  these  children.  Here  the  practical 
duties  of  the  Christian  life  can  be  inculcated  from  early  childhood.  The 
children  can  be  brought  up  "in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord." 
From  the  large  number  in  this  school  some  will  give  evidence,  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  of  that  character  and  intellect  which  you  would  like  to  see  in  teach- 
ers and  preachers.  Let  the  best  of  those  in  the  several  church  schools  be 
collected  in  one  central  Normal  School.  Have  your  Divinity  Schools  in 
connection  with  this,  and  God  will  call  some  trained  in  these  other  schools 
to  study  for  the  sacred  ministry. 

Industrial  education  should  be  provided  for  those  who  do  not  enter  the 
Normal  and  Divinity  Schools.  It  is  to  be  hoped,  that  by  God's  blessing, 
those,  who  have  been  thus  trained,  will  not  desire  to  be  on  social  equality 
with  the  low  and  immoral  of  their  race.  They  will  form  associations  among 
themselves  and  with  the  best  of  those  who  have  been  trained  in  the  public 
schools.  These,  on  account  of  character,  industry  and  education  will  ac- 
quire property,  and  while  imitating  not  a  kw  of  the  social  habits  of  the 
whites,  which  are  not  to  be  commended,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  they  will 
practice  the  Christian  virtues,  and  train  their  children  as  they  have  been 
trained.  There  will  be,  in  the  nature  of  things,  there  must  be  an  upper  class 
of  society — among  this  people.  It  is  rapidly  forming  in  the  towns  and  cities 
now.  Let  the  church  see  to  it  that  this  class,  to  which  all  the  lower  strata 
of  society  will  look  up,  be  founded  on  character  and  true  worth,  and  not  be 
a.  racxQ  iinitatiojt  of  the  vices  of  the  fashionable  whites.  If  the  upper  class 
are  true  Christians,  the  lower  classes  will  be  drawn  out  of  much  of  their  false 
religion,  a'nd  their  minds  opened  to  the  truth.  Oh!  my  dear  brethren,  there 
is  no  time  to  be  lost  in  this  work.  Not  only  are  immortal  souls  passing 
from  this  land  of  liberty  and  light  into  eternity  withont  a  saving  knowledo-e 
of  Christ,  cur  Saviour,  but  the  race  is  rapidly  increasing,  more  rapidly  in 
proportion  than  our  own  race.  These  children  are  growing  up  in  the  ways 
of  their  parents.  Those  who  are  becoming  so  enlightened  as  to  see  the 
foolishness  of  the  superstitions  of  their  race  are  drifting,  as  people  do  in 
Roman  Catholic  countries  who  know  the  superstitions  of  Rome,  into  in- 
ficl.elity — and  infidelity  does  not  improve  their  morals  for  this  life,  nor  give 
salvation  in  the  next.  Their  only  safty  is  in  "teaching  them  to  observe  all 
things  whatsoever  Christ  has  commanded;"  and,  dear  brethren,  this  is  our 
only  safety,  not  only  as  faithful  disciples  of  the  Master,  hut  as  American 
citizens.     Christ  has   commanded   the  American  Church    to   do   this   work. 


go  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY    A.LLIANCE. 

t 

The  Church  is  the  salt  of  the  nation.  Woe  be  unto  us,  as  a  church,  and 
as  a  nation,  if  the  negroes  be  not  evangelized.  I  think  then,  my  brethren, 
we  must  realize  these  things  before  the  negroes  in  the  United  States  are 
evangelized. 

1st.     As  a  race  they  are  not  Christians. 

2nd.  Mistakes  have  been  made  in  the  past  by  many  who  attempted  this 
important  work. 

3d.     This  is  not  a  sectional  question. 

4th.  Our  Lord  has  clearly  given  this  work  to  the  American  cluirch  to 
perform. 

5th.  Before  the  work  can  be  accomplished,  they  must  have  teachers  and 
preachei-s.  with  true  Christian  character,  of  their  own  race. 

6th.  The  duty  now  pressing  upon  us  of  establishing  schools  for  the  train- 
ing of  these  teachers  and  ministers. 

7th.     The  hopefulness  of  the  work. 

Truly,  my  dear  brethren,  there  is  no  more  hopeiul  missionary  field  any- 
where on  earth.  Notwithstanding  the  great  difinculties  in  the  way  a  few 
years  ago,  much  has  been  done.  God  is  binding  the  different  parts  of  this 
great  nation  together.  The  hatred  and  distrust  which  retarded  tbis  work  a 
few  years  ago  is  fast  passing  away.  ^Ye  have  no  new  language  to  leam  that 
Ave  may  reach  this  people.  They  are  here,  and  not  beyond  the  ocean.  So 
many  of  them  are  in  daily  contact  with  the  Christian  people  of  the  land. 
These  are  great  advantages  which  no  other  field  presents.  There  are  difficul- 
ties in  the  work.  Many  perplexing  questions.  Yes,  but  there  are  every- 
where, and  the  wisdom  of  God  has  promised  to  be  with  us.  There  is  not 
much  sentiment,  little  excitement,  and  so  far  as  this  poor  world  goes,  no 
glory,  in  this  work.  But  I  trust,  brethren  of  the  Alliance,  we  are  not  living 
for  excitement  nor  sentiment  nor  for  the  glory  of  the  world.  It  is  a  grand 
work  in  the  eyes  of  our  Lord,  for  He,  the  Good  Shepherd,  laid  down  His 
life  for  these  lost  sheep. 

Let  us  then  go  to  the  work.  Labor,  pray,  give  for  it,  and  strive  to  bring 
others  to  realize  what  the  Master  says  to  this  church.  "Go  make  disciples 
of  this  people — teaching  them  to  observe  whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you." 

What  may  God  have  in  store  for  Africa  through  the  evangelized  negroes 
of  the  United  States? 


MISCELLANEOLS    ADDRKSSES.  97 


Miscellaneous  Addresses. 


Rev.  G.  W.  Chamherlaix,  D.D.,  Brazil. 

A  lawyer  once  said  to  me,  "What  is  the  use  of  sending  missionaries  to 
Roman  Catholic  comitries?  One  of  my  servants  is  a  Catholic  and  she  reads 
the  Bible  as  much  as  my  wife."  The  type  of  Roman  Catholicism  in  this 
country  is  mild  compared  with  what  it  is  in  other  countries.  Go  where  it 
has  had  sway  for  three  hundred  years,  if  you  want  to  see  its  degrading 
tendency.  It  uses  decoys,  and  is  altogether  too  wise  to  push  out  the  Bible- 
reading  servant,  here.  But  where  it  has  full  power,  Bible-reading  in  the 
vernacular  is  even  prohibited  to  the  priests  unless  by  written  permission  of 
Bishop.  St.  Joseph  is  the  patron  saint  of  Brazil,  and  his  worship  is  carried 
to  great  excess.  They  claim  that  he  is  twice  omnipotent.  He  is  the  sponse 
of  the  mother  of  God;  and  he  orders  in  his  own  household.  Hence  through 
two  distinct  channels  he  has  power  over  omnipotence  itself.  This  worship 
of  the  nominal  father  of  our  Lord  is  in  effect  the  crowning  of  a  new  God; 
and  by  inference  would  be  crowning  the  whole  line  of  humanity.  They  think 
that  if  mass  is  attended  regularly  on  Sunday,  the  soul  is  safe.  The  converts 
from  this  degrading  superstition  look  on  it  with  horror.  One  lady  said  that 
s'le  could  think  of  her  baptism  in  no  other  light  than  as  "the  mark  of 
the  beast." 

K.  H.  Basmajai.n,   Armenia. 

I  was  born  in  Turkey,  but  I'm  not  a  Turk.  I  was  born  among  the  Mo- 
hammedans, but  I'm  not  a  Mohammedan.  The  terrible  bigotry  of  Moham- 
medanism has  a  sufficient  foundation.  The  Koran  authorizes  the  punish- 
ment of  every  apostate  by  the  sword.  During  the  last  century  Christian 
nations  have  protested  against  the  death  penalty.  In  1843  executions  were 
so  numerous,  that  they  united  in  a  remonstrance  to  the  Turkish  government. 
The  result  was  an  official  declaration  by  The  Sublime  Porte  that  the  death 
panalty  be  henceforth  discontinued.  At  first  it  was  not  effective.  Now 
however  the  times  of  persecution  have  passed  away.  It  is  a  puzzle  to  me 
how  England  and  Germany  and  other  Protestant  nations  can  look  with  such 
indifference  on  the  religious  needs  of  Mohammedan  countries.  England 
sends  missionaries  everywhere  else  but  there.  How  great  is  the  responsi- 
bility of  Christendom!  If  you  see  Constantinople  with  its  cathedrals  and 
minarets,  what  do  you  feel?  If  Jerusalem  and  Mt.  Moriah,  does  not  the 
great  commission  come  home  to  all?  Constantinople  stands  as  a  cloud  of 
witnesses  against  Christianity.  I  am  an  Armenian,  a  people  much  oppress- 
ed by  the  Mohammedans;  but  I  want  the  Gospel  preached  to  every  creature. 
Give  the  Musselman  the  Gospel  and  full  religious  liberty,  and  he  will  be- 
come a  Christian  gentleman.     Turkey  now  and  Armenia  forever! 


93  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

H.  Garabed,  Armenia, 
The  number  of  misbionaries  among  the  Mohammedans  is  small  compared 
with  the  number  in  other  heathen  nations.  They  will  not  listen  to  Christ- 
ian ministers,  because  their  prejudice  is  so  strong.  Hence  it  is  unwise  to 
preach  Apologetics.  When  a  man  goes  fishing  he  does  not  roll  up  his  pants 
and  wade  in  to  catch  fish;  he  uses  bait.  So  in  missionary  work  among  the 
Mohammedans,  we  must  use  bait.  That  bait  is  medical  missions.  Let  the 
iiiissionary  be  a  St.  Luke.  Let  him  go  among  them,  keep  his  mouth  shut, 
open  a  free  dispensary,  and -wrap  up  his  medicines  in  tracts.  By  sending 
missionaries  to  the  Mohammedans,  you  will  not  only  elevate  and  save  them, 
but  you  will  rescue  those  miserable  Christian  nations  of  Asia  Minor,  that 
are  under  the  heel  of  the  oppressor.  Over  there  they  need  not  only  Christ- 
ianity but  a  higher  education.  A  bird  must  have  both  wings  in  order  to 
rty;  so  the  Mohammedans  need  both  wings,  higher  education  and  Christianity. 

J.  A.  Eakin,  Western  Seminary. 

1  have  spent  four  years  in  Siam  teaching  in  King's  College  at  the  govern- 
ment's expense.  There  are  two  things  in  Siam  which  constitutes  its  claim 
on  our  interest,  the  need  and  the  oppoi^tunity.  First  the  need:  They  are  not 
all  Buddhists.  Those  that  are  have  but  little  faith.  Belief  in  the  efficacy  of 
prayer  to  heathen  gods  is  a  rarity.  The  old  faith  must  be  supplanted  by 
either  infidelity  or  Christianity.  There  are  far  too  few  missionaries.  There 
are  eight  or  nine  millions  of  the  Siamese.  To  evangelize  this  vast  popula- 
tien  there  are  only  seven  ordained  missionaries,  and  four  or  five  native 
workers.  Among  the  500,000  of  Bangkok  there  are  only  three  men.  In 
Fetchaburi  there  is  but  one  man  to  two  or  three  millions,  wilh  about  five 
churches.  In  Laos  there  are  three  missionaries  to  two  millions.  Second,  the 
opportunity:  Nowhere  is  it  greater.  The  Gospel  can  be  preached  every- 
where and  all  the  time.  The  King  has  proclaimed  religious  toleration.  He 
is  libei-al  though  "a  Buddhist;  and  gives  money  for  Christian  schools  and 
hospitals,  not  because  they  are  Christian,  but  because  they  are  doing  his 
kingdom  good.  He  sent  his  two  sons  to  Scotland  for  their  education,  say- 
ing, "If  they  think  Christianity  the  right  system,  when  they  come  back,  they 
will  receive  no  opposition  from  me."  The  only  thing  wanted  is  consecrat- 
ed men.  They  are  indifferent  to  their  own  religion,  and  are  ready  to  accept 
another.     All  they  need  is  to  hear  it. 

R.  P.  Wilder,  Union  Seminary: 

Feeling  should  be  an  end  not  a  means,  a  result  not  a  cause  in  deciding 
upon  a  call  to.foreign  work.  We  don't  want  any  man  there  unless  he  prays 
earnestly  over  the  subject.  Difficulty  in  acquiring  a  language  should  not 
keep  us.  There  are  two  ways  of  filling  a  sponge,  pouring  or  dipping.  The 
way  we  learn  languages  at  college  and  seminary,  here  a  little  Latin,  there  a 
little  Greek,  is  the  pouring  process.  Let  a  man  get  right  into  the  field  and 
there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  filling  up.  As  to  the  matter  of  leaving  friends, 
I  have  come  to  the   conclusion,    that  there  are  not  enough  orphans  to  evan- 


MISCELI.AXEOL'S    ADDRKSSKS. 


99 


Cjelizc  thf  world.  Now  seems  to  be  the  crisis  in  missions  tliroughout  the 
world.  Japan  is  stirred  in  all  her  length  and  breadth  on  tlie  subject.  The 
government  is  not  hostile.  It  desires  four  teachers  immediately,  and  twelve 
in  the  near  future,  offering  to  support  them  till  they  learn  the  language.  In 
China  a  thousand  now  will  be  worth  ten  thousand  ten  years  hence.  In 
India  the  government  teachers  are  infidels.  If  not  taken  now  it  will  take 
two  centuries.  The  Mohammedans  are  sweeping  through  Africa.  It  will 
be  twice  harder  to  convert  them  as  Mohammedans,  than  as  pagans.  In 
Brazil  thousands  would  accept  the  gospel,  if  there  were  preachers.  In 
Mexico  the  Roman  Catholics  are  trying  to  overthrow  the  Republic.  The 
cry  is  raised  of  the  great  need  at  home.  This  is  like  a  patricide  asking  pity 
for  his  orphanhood.  If  the  young  men  of  this  country  were  to  go  forth  in 
great  numbers  to  the  foreign  field,  there  would  be  a  marked  increase  of  in- 
terest in  work  at  home.  As  one  of  the  English  missionaries  said,  "an  out- 
let of  men  from  England  would  bring  an  inlet  of  God's  blessing."  God  is 
working  mightily  in  our  institutions.  Now  let  us,  the  young  men  who  have 
consecrated  ourselves  to  this  work,  make  our  own  the  language  of  Caleb 
with  reference  to  Canaan.  "Let  us  go  up  at  once,  and  possess  it;  for  we  are 
\vell  able  to  overcome  it."  Let  us  not  be  like  the  children* of  Israel  who  took 
forty  years  to  make  an  eleven  days  journey  because  of  unbelief.  The 
Christian  Church  has  had  an  opportunity  to  evangelize  the  world  fifty  times. 
China  can  Ije  won  for  Christ  in  the  present  generation.  As  Douglas  threw 
Bruce's  heart  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy  to  inspire  the  Scots,  let  us  put 
Christ's  heart  in  advance  of  us,  and  follow  it  to  victory. 

The  Same  Speaker  on  Another  Occasiox:  "Why  stand  ye  here  idle?" 
Is  it  reasonable?  There  are  two  kinds  of  idleness,  absolute  and  relative.  A 
man  may  be  relatively  idle,  and  yet  be  constantly  busy.  President  Cleve- 
lind  would  be  idle  working  in  a  coal  mine.  If  Raphael  had  spent  all  his 
time  planing  marble  or  mixing  paint,  he  would  have  been  idle.  In  order  not 
to  be  idle  we  must  go  where  we  can  do  the  best.  Some  ministers  have  not 
looked  this  question  in  the  face.  I  was  astonished  by  one  of  the  professors 
of  one  of  the  seminaries,  when  on  asking  him  if  he  did  not  think  the  pre- 
sumption was  in  favor  of  a  man's  going  to  the  foreign  field,  he  assented,  but 
said  it  would  not  do  for  him  to  say  so,  as  he  would  be  asked  why  he  did  not 
go  himself  There  is  a  good  deal  of  energy  wasted  in  denominational 
strife.  In  Iowa  there  is  a  chuirch  ten  years  old  with  only  ten  members.  Now 
no  man,  unless  he  has  special  hindrances,  should  bind  himself  down  there,  if 
they  can  get  spiritual  nurture  anywhere  else.  Suppose  a  wealthy  land 
owner  should  go  abroad,  leaving  orders  to  his  servants  to  till  his  estate. 
They  neglect  all  the  unimproved  land,  and  confine  their  work  to  the  cultiva- 
ted portions.  When  the  master  comes  back  will  he  not  vent  his  wrath  on 
these  servants  for  their  neglect?  We  are  just  as  blamable,  if  we  attend  only 
to  the  work  at  home,  where  already  gospel  preaching  is  so  prevalent.  There 
is  great  importance  attached  to  this  work  in  the  Scripture.  How  frequent- 
ly it  is   said  in   the  Old  Testament,    "The  nations  shall  praise  the  Lord," 


lOO  INTER-SEMIN'ARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

Christ  impresses  it  on  the  Apostles  in  the  great  commission.  Paul  and  the 
rest  of  the  Apostles  turned  to  the  Gentiles.  Do  we  attach  enough  impor- 
tance to  it?  Only  two  and  three-tenths  per  cent,  of  our  ministers,  and  two 
per  cent,  of  our  money  is  used  for  this  purpose.  Do  you  think  the  home 
field  would  suffer  by  your  going?  Do  you  think  the  Antiochan  Church  suf- 
fered by  the  departure  of  Paul  and  Barnabus?  There  is  always  a  reflex  in- 
fluence. Do  converts  from  heathenism  amount  to  anything?  If  their  con- 
version were  not  genuine,  would  they  submit  to  persecution  ?  Some  of  them 
have  to  give  up  every  thing.  And  not  a  man,  woman,  or  child  accepts 
Christ  without  persecution. 

H.  C.  BuLBULiAN,  Syria. 

The  extreme  hatred  of  the  Turks  has  hitherto  prevented  success.  The 
Armenians  are  our  main  hope.  They  have  been  enlightened,  their  moralitv 
bettered,  and  their  intellect  educated;  and  the  influence  is  bound  to  spread. 
For  fifty  years  scarcely  anything  has  been  done  for  the  Turks.  But  now 
they  are  secretly  i-eading  the  Bible.  They  dare  not  confess  it  for  fear  of  the 
goverament.  Once  they  could  not  discuss  it;  now  they  can.  The  Ameri- 
can people  have  come  among  them  and  established  Protestant  schools.  We 
hope  soon  to  hang  church  bells  on  the  Moslem  minarets  and  retake  our 
old  Christian  churches. 

William  Wallace,  Union  Seminary. 

I  was  born  on  a  mission  field.  The  first  fourteen  years  of  my  life  I  pass- 
ed in  the  United  States  of  Columbia;  afterwards  moved  to  Mexico.  There 
are  many  topics  of  interest  in  considering  the  work  in  Mexico.  Consider  the 
call.  There  is  great  superstition;  it  is  as  bad  as  Brazil.  Worship  of  the 
Saints  is  carried  to  great  excess.  Mary  is  the  Patron  Saint.  Christ  is  de- 
graded to  the  level  of  any  other  Saint.  The  priests  come  from  the  lowest 
classes  of  the  people;  and  are  frequently  to  l:)e  found  in  brothels  and  gamb- 
ling dens.  Lately  there  has  been  a  reaction  against  the  Catholics,  and 
many  have  thrown  oft"  all  religion. 

Rev.  H.  a.  Nelson,  Philadelphia. 

Young  men  are  exceeding  precious.  In  case  another  war  should  break  out, 
there  are  many  here  capable  of  going  to  the  field,  and  becoming  captains, 
colonels,  and  generals.  But  thank  God  there  is  no  such  call.  The  call  to 
you  is  to  God's  army.  Can  your  country  spare  you?  Your  country  can- 
not afford  to  place  itself  before  God  as  of  no  account  to  other  countries. 
When  I  was  a  home  missionary  in  the  West,  we  felt  that  we  didn't  want  a 
Christianity  sent  to  the  West  that  could  be  kept  in  the  West,  The  mis- 
sionary spirit  is  the  mark  of  a  true  Christianity.  We  do  dot  want  a  Christ- 
ianity here,  that  can  be  kept  here.  If  any  of  you  feel  called  of  God  to  go 
away,  be  assured  that  God  will  raise  up  many  to  take  your  place.  Pray  for 
light  as  to  your  personal  duty. 


REPORTS    OF    COMMITTEKS. 


REPORTS. 


Report  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

The  Executive  Committee  beg  leave  to  present  the  following  report  : 
At  a  called  meeting  held  in  Baltimore  last  December,  at  which  all  the 
committee  except  one  were  present,  the  programme  of  the  present  conven- 
tion was  prepared.  The  accounts  of  the  Executive,  and  Correspondence 
and  Publication  Committees  of  the  preceding  year  were  audited,  found  cor- 
rect and  sustained  by  the  proper  vouchers. 

The  annual  assessment  was  reduced  by  the  committee  from  35  cents  per 
capita  to  30  cents  (per  capita).  This  has  been  collected  and  a  full  account 
of  all  receipts  and  disbursements  will  be  found  in  the  Treasurer's  Report, 
which  will  be  presented  to  the  succeeding  Executive  Committee  for  their 
auditing. 

The  difficulty  the  committee  has  experienced  in  communicating  with  some 
of  the  seminaries  leads  them  to  suggest  that  the  delegations  from  the  vari- 
ous seminaries  furnish  the  secretaries  of  the  convention  with  the  name  of 
some  student  in  their  seminary  who  will  furnish  to  the  chairman  of  the  next 
Executive  Committee  all  needed  information  in  regard  to  their  school.  The 
secretaries  will  give  the  chairman  of  said  committee  a  list  of  such  names. 

We  further  recommend,  for  the  convenience  of  the  committees  of  the 
Alliance,  that  the  Correspondence  and  Publication  Committee  do  incorpor- 
ate in  the  Annual  Reports  a  list  of  the  times  and  places  where  the  conven- 
tions have  been  held,  together  with  a  list  of  all  the  former  Executive  and 
Correspondence  Committees,  with  the  names  of  their  secretaries. 
Signed, 

JOHN  P.  TYLER. 
LUCIUS  H.  THAYER. 
A.  H.  EVANS. 

Per  Frank  E.  Hopkins. 
GEO.  W.  QUICK. 


INTER-SEMIXARY    MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 


IT. 

Report  of  the  Correspondence  and  Publication 
Committee  for  1886-7. 

In  the  report  of  the  work  of  this  Committee  during  the  past  year,  we 
would  call  attention — 

I.  To  its  methods.  Letters  have  been  written  to  each  of  the  seminaries 
out  of  the  Alliance,  and  to  each  of  the  universities  and  colleges  having  theo- 
logical departments,  calhng  attention  to  the  aims  aud  work  of  the  Alliance, 
inviting  correspondence,  and  urging  their  joining  us  in  the  missionary  move- 
ment. Reports  also  have  been  sent  to  all,  or  nearly  all,  as  a  proof  of  our 
claims.  The  invitation  has  been  made  specially  emphatic  to  the  seminaries 
of  the  South  on  account  of  the  place  of  meeting. 

II.  The  results  of  our  work.  One  seminary,  two  universities  and  one 
college,  hitherto  unrepresented,  have  sent  delegates.  Many  have  turned  in- 
differently from  our  appeals.  From  others  we  have  received  letters  ex- 
pressing the  deepest  interest  and  warmest  sympathy  with  our  work,  and 
regretting  their  inability  to  send  delegates.  We  trust  that  their  interest 
will  not  decrease,  and  that  their  means  will  increase;  so  that  they  may  join 
our  ranks  at  some  time  in  the  future. 

To  those  who  have  helped  us  unostentiously,  but  effectively,  we  here  ex- 
press our  thanks. 

The  Alliance  last  year  appropriated  fifty  dollars  ($50)  for  the  distribution 
of  Reports.     We  recommend  a  like  appropriation  this  year. 

In  conclusion,  we  would  ask  the  prayers  of  the  Alliance  for  the  continued 
blessing  of  God  on  the  future  work  of  this  Committee,  and  that  of  our  suc- 
cessors. 

V.  F.  PARTCH,  McCormick. 

G.  B.   HOPKINS,  Bates. 

J.  S.  CRAWFORD,  Xenia. 

H.  G.  BUEHLER,  Gettysburg. 

EDWARD  SAUNIER,  Hamilton. 


REPORTS  OF    COMMITTEES.  IO3 

III. 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  Resolutions. 

Your  Committee  on  Resolutions  respectfully  submit  the  following: 

Whereas,  The  Bureau  of  Indian  Affairs  has,  in  a  recent  order,  prohibited 
the  use  of  the  native  tongues  in  all  Indian  schools,  including  the  mission 
schools  which  are  independent  of  government  support  and  supervision,  and 

Whereas,  This  order  excludes  the  Indian  Bible  from  all  mission  school.,, 
and  closes  all  schools  taught  by  native  teachers  in  their  own  tongue  ;  and 
moreover,  if  strictly  enforced,  it  will  suspend  everj'  school  for  training 
native  teachers  and  preachers  of  their  own  people,  and  thus  exclude  a  large 
majority  of  the  present  generation  from  the  privileges  of  the  Gospel,  there- 
fore 

Resolved:  That  we,  the  representatives  of  the  theological  seminaries  of 
the  United  States,  in  convention  assembled,  do  earnestly  urge  a  reconsid- 
eration of  said  order,  as  detrimental  to  personal  rights,  and  as  a  seriou-. 
blow  to  the  progress  of  education  and  Christianity  among  the  Indians,  and. 

Resolved:  That  we  appeal  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  in  the  name 
of  the  Christian  churches  of  this  country  and  in  behalf  of  a  people  perish- 
ing without  the  Gospel,  to  instruct  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  so 
to  modify  this  order  that  it  may  not  apply  to  mission  schools  independent 
of  government  support. 

This  Alliance,  having  heard  tlie  reports  of  the  two  seminaries  which  have 
declared  their  intention  to  support  their  own  missionaries  in  the  foreigr 
field. 

Resolved:  That  it  commend  this  course  of  action  to  the  seminaries  of 
its  membership,  to  be  followed  in  each  case  as  far  as  practicable. 

Your  Committee  on  Resolutions  respectfully  recommend  the  adoption  of 
the  following : 

Be  it  Resolved: — 

First.  That  we  express  our  profound  gratitude  to  our  Heavenly  Father 
for  the  manifestations  of  His  love  and  favorable  guidance  in  the  plans  kid 
for  this  convention,  and  for  the  undoubted  presence  of  His  Holy  Spirit  in 
the  sessions  of  the  same. 

Second.  That  we  present  our  thanks  to  the  students  of  the  Theological 
Seminary  of  Yirginia  for  their  many  hearty  courtesies  during  our  visit 
among  them ;  to  tha  citizens  of  Alexandria  for  opening  their  hearts  and 
homes  with  proverbial  Southern  hospitality ;  to  the  Rector  and  vestry  of 
Christ's  Church  for  the  use  of  their  historic  building ;  to  the  clergy  and 
choirs  of  the  other  churches  of  Alexandria  who  have  assisted  in  our  ser- 
vices ;  to  the  various  speakers  who  have  inspired  us  Ijy  their  addresses  ; 
and  to  the  Executive  Committee  of  this  Alliance  for  the  faithful  perform- 
ance of  its  duties. 


I04  INTER-SEMINARY   MISSIONARY    ALLIANCE. 

Third.  That  we  consecrate  ourselves  as  an  Alliance  of  Christian 
Brethren  by  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  more  thoroughly  to  the  work  of 
our  dear  Lord  Jesus  and  to  the  interests  ot  His  Kingdom  in  the  world, 
that  banded  together  "in  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  and  the  bond  of  peace" 
we  go  forward  under  the  bannar  of  the  Cross,  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel, 
to  assured  victory. 

Respectfully, 

Committee  on  Resolutions. 


RKPORTS    OF    COMMITTEES.  IO3 

IV. 

Treasurer's  Report  for  1886. 

A.  M.  Spangler  i\  Account  with  Inter-Seminary  Alliance. 

DR. 

Oct.   22,  To  Cash  on  Hand $684  77 

25,    "    Morgan  Park  Seminary 1080 

2S,.  "    Drew  Seminary 33  25 

$728   82 
CR. 

Oct.   29,  By  L.  F.  Esseldyn,  Traveling  Expenses 813  00 

"      29,  "    E.A.Woods,             "                 "         . 200 

30,  "    I.  W.  Mattison,  Printing 25  35 

"      30,  "    E.  Regal,  Stationery 2  10 

30,  "    R.  P.  Miller,  Traveling  Expenses  (Exec.  Com.)  500 

30,  "    W.  L.  Swan,         "                 "               "         "  13  40 

30,  "    W.  S.  Nelson,        "                 "               "         "  g  60 

30,  "    Dr.  Ashmore,        "                 " 5  00 

"      30,  "    C.A.Clark,  Incidentals 12  CO 

30,  "     B.  Labarre,  Traveling   Expenses 5  93 

"      30,  "    Judson  Smith,      "                 "         25  00 

30,  "    C.A.Payne,         "                  "          ..    1000 

Nov.    I,  "    N.  J.  Allen,  Page... 200 

1,  "    L.  B.  Marlett,  Page 200 

2.  "    F.  W.  Bates,  Stationery go 

12,  "   J-  W.  Harsha,  Chairman  Cor.  and  Pub.  Com..  100  00 

12,  ■'    Exchange 25 

"       15,  "    Silas  Parker,  Organ    Pumper i  00 

lO,  "    I.  W.  Mattison,  Printing 4  76 

"      16,  "    Hayden  Binford,  Janitor 5  00 

Dec.  14,  "    J.  W.  Harsha,  Cor.  and  Pub.  Committee 100  00 

14,  "    Exchange 25 

"      -^'    "  "  - --  25 

21,    "    Stationery 50 

$345  29 
Dec.  21,  By  Balance 383  55 

$723  82 


Io6  INTER-SEMINARY   MISSIONARY   ALLIANCE. 


HISTORICAL  KOTE. 


[The  Publishing  Committee  was  instructed  at  the  last  session  to  write  up 
and  insert  in  the  present  Report  a  history  of  the  Alliance.  We  have  found 
it  impossible  to  get  detailed  information  on  the  subject.  The  following  ex- 
tract from  the  report  of  R.  M.  Mateer,  of  Princeton,  Chairman  of  the  first 
Executive  Committee,  gives  a  concise  account  of  its  organization,  to  which 
we  append  a  list  of  the  places  of  meeting.] 

"  The  movement,  of  which  the  present  convention  is  an  outcome,  origi- 
nated about  a  year  ago  among  the  students  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
Princeton,  and  sprang  from  a  desire  for  some  co-operation  of  theological 
students  in  promoting  the  cause  of  missions.  At  about  the  same  time,  the 
students  of  Hartford  Theological  Seminary  moved  by  a  similar  impulse, 
aldressed  a  circular  letter  upon  the  same  topic  to  the  students  of  various 
seminaries.  After  considerable  correspondence  between  the  members  of 
different  institutions,  the  formation  of  an  Inter-Seminary  Convention  was 
deemed  the  most  feasible  of  the  various  plans  suggested  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  ends  in  view.  In  response  to  a  letter  sent  from  Princeton,  a 
preliminary  Conference  was  held  in  New  York  City,  April  gth,  1880,  at 
which  twenty-two  delegates,  representing  twelve  seminaries  were  present. 
Other  seminaries  sent  letters  approving  the  general  plan.  This  Preliminary 
Conference  adopted  a  resolution  to  hold  an  Inter-Seminary  Convention  for 
the  discussion  of  themes  bearing  on  the  relation  which  we  are  to  sustain  to 
the  work  of  Foreign  and  Home  Missions,  whether  we  labor  as  missionaries 
abroad  or  as  pastors  at  home.  An  Executive  Committee  was  appointed  with 
authority  to  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  the  holding  of  such  a  con- 
vention, to  which  it  was  also  instructed  to  make  its  report.  It  is  at  the  call 
of  this  committee  that  the  present  convention  is  assembled." 

The  following  have  been  the  places  of  meeting: 

18S0 -New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

1S81 Allegheny,  Pa. 

1882 - Chicago,  111. 

1883 - Hartford,  Conn. 

1884 ...Princeton,  N.J. 

1885 - Rochester,  N.  V. 

1886 -  -  -Oberlin,  O. 

1887 Alexandria,  Va. 


CONSTITUTION    AND    BV-LAWS.  10? 


COKSTITUTIOK   AND   BY-LAWS 


The  American  Inter-Seminary  IVIissionary  Alliance. 


CDNSTITUTIDN, 


Article  I. — Name. 

This  organization  shall  be  called  the  "American  Inter-Seminary  Mission- 
ary Alliance." 

Article  II. — Aim. 

The  aim  of  this  Alliance  shall  be  the  furtherance  of  practical  interest  in, 
and  consecration  to,  the  cause  of  Foreign  and  Home  Missions  on  the  part  of 
theological  students,  both  as  prospective  missionaries  and  prospective 
pastors. 

Article  III. — Membership. 

All  evangelical  Theological  Seminaries  which,  through  their  delegates 
present  at  any  Convention  of  the  Alliance,  or  in  any  other  way,  shall  ex- 
press a  desire  and  readiness  to  co-operate  in  the  promotion  of  the  aims  of 
this  Alliance,  as  set  forth  in  Article  II,  and  a  willingness  to  meet  their  just 
proportion  of  the  expenses  incident  to  membership  in  this  organization, 
shall,  on  application  to  the  Correspondence  and  Publication  Committee, 
hereinafter  provided  for,  be  recognized  as  members  of  this  Alliance. 

Article  IV. — Methods. 

Section  1.  For  the  advancement  of  the  ends  proposed  in  Article  II,  a 
Convention  of  this  Alliance  shall  be  held  annually,  at  some  time  between 
October  ist  and  November  20th. 

Sec.  2.  The  exercises  of  this  Convention  shall  be  of  such  a  character  as 
shall  from  time  to  time  be  thought  best  calculated  to  increase  the  interest 
of  theological  students  in  Missions,  and  to  deepen  their  consecration  to 
that  cause. 

Sec.  3.  At  this  Convention  other  means  for  advancing  the  ends  of  this 
Alliance  may  be  discussed  and  adopted. 

Article  V. — Revenue. 
Section  1.     There  shall  be  levied,  annually,  upon  each  vSeminary  in  this 


I08  INTER-SEMINARY  MISSIONARY  ALLIANCE. 

Alliance,  a  tax  proportionate  to  the  number  of  students  reported  as  mem- 
bers of  that  Seminary  in  the  report  of  the  last  Annual  Convention  of  this 
Alliance.  This  sum  may  be  raised  in  such  a  manner  as  each  Seminary- 
shall  see  fit. 

Sec,  2.  This  Tax  shall  be  paid  to  the  Executive  Committee  hereinafter 
provided  for,  before  the  first  day  of  April  preceding  the  Convention  for  the 
•expenses  of  which  it  is  intended  to  provide. 

Article  VI. — Officers. 

The  officers  of  this  Alliance  shall  consist  of  two  Standing  Committees,  to 
be  known  respectively  as  the  Executive  Committee  and  the  Correspondence 
and  Publication  Committee. 

Section  1.  Executive  Committee. — The  general  conduct  and  control  ot 
the  affairs  of  this  Alliance  shall  be  vested  in  a  Committee  to  be  known  as 
the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Alliance. 

Clause  I.  This  Committee  shall  be  elected  annually  at  the  Convention 
of  the  Alliance,  and  shall  remain  in  office  until  their  detailed  report  shall 
have  been  audited  and  approved,  as  hereinafter  provided  for. 

(Note. — There  will,  consequently,  for  a  short  period,  be  two  Executive 
Committees,  but  the  work  of  one  will  be  purely  retrospective,  clearing  up 
its  Convention  work  and  preparing  its  i^eport.  The  old  Committee  will 
iiave  no  part  in  the  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  Association  after  the 
election  of  their  successors.) 

Clause  2.  This  Committee  shall  be  composed  of  five  members  of  different 
religious  denominations,  together  with  the  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  the  preceding  year,   who  shall  have  only  advisory  power. 

Clause  ^.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Executive  Committee  to  conduct  all 
the  business  connected  with  the  holding  of  the  Convention  of  this  Alliance; 
to  nominate,  at  the  fii'st  meeting  of  the  Convention,  a  place  for  the  holding 
of  the  Convention  of  the  succeeding  year;  to  assess  and  collect  the  annual 
taxes,  and  to  hold  and  disburse  all  moneys  of  this  Alliance;  to  audit  the  ac- 
counts of  both  the  Executive  and  the  Correspondence  and  Publication  Com- 
mittee of  the  preceding  year;  to  present,  at  some  time  before  the  close  of 
each  Convention,  an  outline  report  of  their  work  during  the  year,  and  to 
give  to  their  successors,  before  December  15th  following,  a  detailed  report, 
that  such  report  may  be  audited  by  them,  and  be  published  in  the  next 
annual  report  of  the  Convention;  in  short,  during  its  year  of  office,  lie  the 
recognized  and  responsible  representative  and  head  of  the  Alliance. 

Sec.  2.     Correspondence  and  Publication  Committee. 

Clause  I.  There  shall  be  a  Correspondence  and  Publication  Committee, 
composed  and  elected  similarly  with  the  Executive  Committee. 

Clause  2.  This  Committee  shall  remain  in  office  from  the  time  of  its 
election  until  its  financial  report  shall  have  been  audited  and  approved,  as 
hereinafter  provided  for.  (Same  note  applies  here  as  in  Article  \'I,  Section 
1,  Clause  1.) 


CONSTITUTION   AND   BY-LAWS.  I0<> 

Clause  J.  Il  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  Committee  to  collect  from  Theo- 
logical Seminaries,  to  publish  and  to  circulate  among  these  Seminaries,  all 
information  of  interest  to  the  Alliance;  to  encourage  the  formation  of  Mis- 
sionary Societies  in  Seminaries,  and  to  stimulate  those  already  existing  to 
increased  efficiency,  and  to  take  such  other  measures  as  are  calculated  to 
further  the  ends  of  this  Alliance.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  this  Com- 
mittee to  prepare,  for  presentation  at  the  annual  Convention  of  this  AUiance, 
a  report  of  their  work  during  the  year.  In  addition  to  this  report,  it  shall 
be  their  duty  to  prepare  a  financial  report,  and  to  present  the  same,  before 
the  15th  of  December  following  the  election  of  their  successors,  to  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  of  the  succeeding  year,  that  it  may  be  audited  by  them 
and  pubHshed  in  the  annual  report  of  the  Convention  of  the  Alliance.  It 
shall  also  be  the  duty  of  this  Committee  to  compile  and  publish  the  annual 
report  of  the  Convention  of  this  Alliance. 

Clause  4.  This  committee  shall  have  power  to  appoint  each  sub-com- 
mittee as  they  shall  deem  necessary  to  aid  them  in  their  work. 

Article  VII. 

This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  supplemented  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of 
the  Seminaries  represented  in  any  regular  Convention  of  this  Alliance,  pro- 
vided that  every  Seminary  of  this  Alliance  shall  have  been  notified,  through 
the  Correspondence  and  Publication  Committee,  of  the  proposed  change,  at 
least  two  months  before  the  meeting  of  that  Convention.  In  case  such  pro- 
visions shall  not  have  been  complied  with,  it  shall  require  a  unanimous  vote 
of  the  Seminaries  represented  at  any  Convention  of  this  Alliance,  to  alter  or 
supplement  this  Constitution. 


BY-LA"ffiZ'S. 


Article  I.— Officers. 

The  officers  ot  the  Convention  shall  consist  of  a  President  and  three 
Secretaries. 

Section  1.     President. 

Clause  I.  There  shall  be  elected  a  President,  on  the  coming  together  of 
the  Convention,  at  each  session.  This  election  shall  be  acclamation,  on 
nomination  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

Clause  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  preside  at  the  session 
of  the  Convention  over  which  he  is  elected  President. 

Sec.  2.     Secretaries. 

Clause  I.     Three  Secretaries  shall  be  chosen  at  the  first  business  meeting 


no  INTKR-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY   ALLIANCE. 

of  the  Convention,  who  shall  hold  oflice  throughout  the  time  of  the  Con- 
vention. 

Clause  2.  The  Secretaries  shall  be  elected  by  acclamation,  on  the  nom- 
ination of  the  Executive  Committee. 

Clause  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretaries  to  keep  a  report  of  all 
the  sessions  of  the  Convention,  and  to  provide  for  the  Correspondence  and 
Puljlication  Committee  a  copy  of  the  same  for  publication. 

Article  II. — Suffrage. 

Section  1.     Each  Seminary  shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote. 

Sec.  2.  In  all  matters  of  importance  involving  a  decision  of  the  Alliance 
as  an  organization,  the  voting  shall  be  by  Seminaries;  and  in  any  case  the 
voting  shall  be  by  Seminaries  when  demanded  by  two  Seminaries. 

Sec.  3.  All  members  of  Seminaries  which  are  members  of  the  Alliance, 
shall,  if  present  at  any  Convention,  be  recognized  as  delegates  to  the  same, 
and  therefore  members  of  the  Convention.  Other  individuals  may,  on  vote 
of  the  Convention,  be  admitted  as  Associate  Members,  being  granted  the 
privileges  of  the  floor,  but  having  no  vole. 

Article  III. — Committees. 

Section  1.  A  Committee  on  Enrollment  shall,  on  the  fust  meeting  of 
the  Convention,  l)e  elected  l)y  acclamation,  on  the  nomination  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee. 

Sec.  2.  A  Committee  on  Nominations  shall,  on  the  first  meeting  of  the 
Convention,  be  elected  by  acclamation,  on  the  nomination  of  the  Executive 
Committee. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Nominations  to  nomi- 
nate a  Committee  on  Resolutions,  also  to  nominate  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee and  the  Correspondence  and  Publication  Committee,  for  the  succeed- 
ing year,  and  to  make  such  other  nominations  as  shall  from  time  to  time  be 
intrusted  to  it  by  the  Convention. 

Article  IV. — Quorum. 

A  majority  of  the  Seminaries  represented  at  any  Convention  shall  consti- 
tute a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  that  Convention. 

Article  V. 

These  ]]y-Laws  of  the  Constitution  can  be  annulled,  laid  aside,  amended 
or  supplemented,  only  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  all  the  Seminaries  present  at 
the  lime  the  motion  to  such  effect  shall  be  made. 


ROLL    OF    SEMINARIES    AND    STATISTICS.  Ill 

Roll  of  Seminaries  and  Statistics  for  1886  and  1887. 


Denomixatio.n. 


Semixarv  and  Location. 


Baptist 

Baptist 

Baptist - 

Baptist 

Baptist 

Baptist 

Baptist 

Free  Baptist 

Free  Baptist 

Christian 

Congregational  ... 

Congregational 

Corigregational 

Congregational 

Congregational 

Congregational  . , . 

Congregational 

Congregational 

Congregational 

Congregational 

Evang.  Lutheran. 
Evang.  Luther.ui.. 
Evang.  Lutheran. - 
Evang.  Lutheran. 
Meth,  Episcopal. - 
Meth.  Episcopal... 
Meth.  Episcopal.. 
Meth.  Episcopal... 
Meth.  Episcopal... 
Meth.  Episcopal.. 
Meth.  Episcopal.. 
Meth.  Epis.  South 
Meth.  Protestant.^ 

Moravian 

Presbyterian. 

Presbyterian 

Presbyterian 

Presbyterian 

Presbyterian 

Presbyterian 

Presbyterian 

Presbyterian 

Cumberland  Presb 
Southern  Presbvt'i 
United  Presbyte'ri'i 
United  Presbyteri'i 
Protest't  Episcopa 
Protest't  Episcopa 
Protest't  Episcopa 
Protest't  Episcoiia 
Reformed  Dutch... 

Reformed  German 
Reformed  German. 
Lifiited  Brethren  . 


Baptist  LTnion,  Morgan  Park,  111 

Crozer,  Chester,  Pa 

Hamilton,  Hamilton,  N.  Y 

Newton,  Newton   Centre,  Mass 

Rochester,  Rochester,  N.  Y - 

*Jereiniah  Vardman,  Liberty,  Mo 

*Normal  and  Theological  Inst.,  Selma,  Ala 

Bates,  Lewistown,  Me 

Theo.  Dpt.  Hinsdale  Col.,  Hinsdale,  Mich, 

i=Oskaloosa  College,  Oskaloosa,  la 

Andover,  Andover,  Mass 

Bangor,  Bangor,  Me. 

Chicago,  Chicaa;o,  111 - 

Hartford,  Hartford,  Conn 

Oberlin,  Oberlin,  O - 

Yale  Divinity  School,  New  Haven,  Conn 

'German  Congregational,  Crete,  Neb 

"Fisk  LTniversitv,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

i^Pacific,  Oakland,  Cal.. 

'■Talladega,  Ala 

Gettysburg,  Gettysburg,  Pa_ 

*Hartwick,  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y 

Wittenberg,  Springfield,  O 

-Missionary  Institute,  Selens  Grove,  Pa 

Boston   LTniversity,  Boston,  Mass 

Drew,  Madison,  N.J 

Garrett  Biblical   Institute,  Evanston,  111... 

*Clark  LTniversity,  Atlanta,  Ga 

*Central   College,  Nashville,  Tenn 

*New  Orleans"  Univer.,  New  Orleans,  La 
*Bennett,  Greensboro,  N.  C 

Vanderbuilt   University,  N.ashville,  Tenn 

Westminister,  Westminister,  Md 

''Moravian  Seminary,  Bethlehem.  Pa 

Auburn,  Auburn,  N.  Y... 

German,  Bloomfield,  N.J 

Lane,  Cincinnati,  O 

McCormick,  Chicago,  111 

Princeton,  Princeton,  N,  J 

Union,  New  York  City 

Western,   Allegheny,  Pa 

*Lincoln   University,  Lincoln,  Pa 

Cumberland  University,  Lebanon,  Tenn.. 

Union,   Hampden-.Sidney,  Va 

Allegheny,  Allegheny,  Pa 

Xenia,  Xenia,  O 

Bp.  Payne  Divinity  School,  Petersburg,  V; 

Theo.  Sem.  of  V^irginia,  Fairfax  Co.,  \'a 

*Philadelphia,  Philadelpnia,  Pa 

^Divinity   School,  Cambridge,  Mass 

Reformed   Dutch   Seminary  of  America, 
New  Brunswick,  N.  S. 

Ref.  Sem.  of  LTnited  States,  Lascaster,  Pa 
*Heidelburg,   Tiffin,  O 

Union  Biblical  Seminary,  Dayton,  O 


6  !. 


55 
47 
6o 


105 
120 


statistics  rect 


INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY   ALLIANCE. 


ROLL  OF  DELEGATES. 


BAPTIST. 

BAPTIST  UNION  SEMINARY,  MORGAN  PARK,  ILL. 

A.  H.  Ballard. 

CROZER  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  CHESTER,  PA. 

K.  H.  Basmajiax,  J-  E.  Beach,  M.  G.  Evans, 

G.  C.  EwERT,  C.  B.  FuRMAN,  M.  N.  Jackson, 

B.  F.  HuRLBURT,  J.  E.  Keylor,  G.  W.  Quick, 

W.  G.  Robinson,  U.  Stadfeth,  A.  E.  Seagrave, 

H.  F.  Wilkinson,  A.  F.  Williamson. 

HAMILTON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,   HAMILTON,  N.  Y. 

W.  H.  CossuM,  L.  B.  Curtis,  C.  H.  Dodd, 

E.  M.  Lankier,  W.  E.  Webster. 

NEWTON  THEOLOGICAL  INSTITUTION,  NEWTON  CENTRE, 

MASS. 

J.  NY.  McGregor,  A.  L.  Snell,  C.  L.  White, 

B.  L.  Whitman. 

ROCHESTER  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 

IT.  P.  Cochran,  C.  A.  Daniel,  ].  Heinrichs, 

W.  Y.  Higgins,  Benj.  Otto,  W.  J.  Reid, 

F.  W.  Stone,  T.  J.  Yillers. 

CONGREGATIONAL. 

ANDOVER  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  ANDOVER,  MASS. 
E.  B.  Stiles,  C.  C.  Torrey. 

BANGOR  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  BANGOR,  ME. 

Benson  Sew  all. 


Kill. I,  (jf  iiiii,i:(;Ai;;s.  113 

CHICAGO  Tlli:ol,OCICAL  SKMINARV,  CIIICACCJ,  II. 1,. 
W.    J.    C.KAV, 

IIAKIKOKI)  TIIEULUCICAL  SEMIXAKW    liARTFOKD,  CONN. 
T.   M.   lldPGnoN,  J.   I..  Kii.r.o.N,  Ji;. 

ODEKLIN  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  ()r.ERLIN.  O. 
L.   L.  Do(;(;i:tt,  H.   H.  Russi.i.i,. 

VALE  DIVINITY   SCHOOL,   NEW   HAVEN,  CONN. 

E.    L.   C.M.UWl-.I.l..  L.    II.    TlIAYEK,  W.    S.    UKKdKn, 

J.  C.  Wilson. 

CUMBERLAND   PRESBYTERIAN. 

CUMBERLAND   UNI\ERSITY,  LEBANON,  TENN. 
B.  E.  Moody. 

FREE   BAPTIST. 

BATES  SEMINARY,   LEWISTOWN,  MAINE. 
E.  R.  Cii.\P\vicK. 

EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN. 

0 
EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    SEMINARY,  GEIT VSBUKG,    PA. 

C.  T.  AiKK.Ns.,  D.   R.  Becker,  M.  Coovkk, 

H.  E.  Ebcling,  W.   Leisher,  C.  1!.  Mii.eek, 

.\..  A.  Pakr,  C.  Reinewalp,  A.  F.  Riciiaku.son, 

A,  Schmet,!.,  II.  G.  Snyder,  J,  B,  Umreroek, 

A.  G.  Woi.r, 

METHODIST   EPISCOPAL. 

BOSTON    UNIVERSITY  SCHOOL  OF  THEOLOGY,  BOSTON, 

MASS. 

L.  A.  Core.  V.  Desjardins,  J.   L.  Hillman. 


114  INTER-SEMINAKY    MISSIU.NAKV    ALLIANCK. 

DREW  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  MADISON,   N.  J. 

M.  A.  Casey,  W.  P.  Compton,  E.  E.  Count, 

T.  B.  Gardner,  W.  H.  Lixdemuth,         L.  K.  Moore, 

J.  Shaw,  H.  Wei/ii. 

GARRETT  BIl'.LICAr.  INSTITUTE,  EVANSTON,   ILL. 

R.    I.    ElEMING,  E.    IICiLT,  F.    11.    NORTIIRII'. 

METHODIST   EPISCOPAL,  SOUTH. 

VANDERBILT    UNIVERSITY,   NASHVILLE,  TENN. 
L»  Leeich,  N.   W.  Uteev,  N.  M.  Watsun. 

METHODIST    PROTESTANT. 

WESl'MINSTER  THEOLOGICAL  SEAHNAKY,    WEST^HNSTEK 

I\'ID. 

Jas.  Cody,  T.  E.  Davis,  C.  E.  Lamdekd. 

PRESBYTERIAN. 

AU15URN  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  AUBURN,  N.  Y. 
C.  H.  Fenn,  J.  B.  Rodcers,  G.  L.  Todd. 

GERMAN  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  OF  NE\VARK, 
BLOOMFIELD,  N.  J.  • 

John  r.  H.  SciiWEnzER,  C.  H.  Wi:uee. 

LANE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  CINCINNATI,  O. 

A.  Dunn,  J.  C.  Garkiti.  J.  E.  McGef, 

W.  S.  Nelson,  G.  O.  Nichoi  s,  L.   H.  Shane, 

J.    \V.    ^VTNDER. 

McCORMICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  CHICAGO,  ILL. 
\V.  E.  FiNLEY,  W.  H.  LiNGLE,  L  M.  Leonard, 

T.   C.    r>lELROSE,  V.    F.    PaRTCH,  !•;.    M.    SHARP, 

A,  G.  T-WEOR,  J.  C.  Wilson. 


ROM.    OF    DliI.EGATKS 


i'5 


PRINCETON    TlIEOr.OCICAL  SEMINARY,  PRINCETON,  N.  y. 


C.  C.  Adams, 

E.    J.    COFKIN, 
T.    GiBONEV, 

John  Knox, 

D.  A.  Murray, 
11.  Taylor, 

A.  L.  R.  Waite, 


M.  G.  Allison, 
II.  M.  Dlxok, 

D.  B.  Griegg, 
J.  M.  McLeod, 
(;eo.  Pierson, 

G.  E.  Thompson, 

E.  S.  Wallace, 


J.  Cannon, 
F.  Elle'i  r, 
C.  A.  Kn.Lnc, 
K.  McMillan, 
Geo.  Reynolds, 

W.    M.    TUFFTS, 

S.  E.  Young. 


UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,   NEW  YORK  CITV. 


II.  C.  Bulbulian, 
F.  E.  HosKiNS, 
\Y.  \Yallace, 


II.  G.  Golden, 
F.  M.  Nichols, 


\Y.    II.    I-lANNUM, 

A.  N.  0T5RIEN, 
R.  P.  \Yildek. 


\YESTERN  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  ALLEGHENY,  PA. 


S.  L.  Boston, 
J.  B.  Dunlap, 

B.  Harrup, 

C.  M.  Junkin, 

J.  V.  McAnincii, 
J.  Y.  Stevenson, 


E.  S.  Brownlee, 
J.  A.  Eakin, 
h.  II.  Hill, 
E.  A.  Kerns, 
f.  A.   Mar(,)Uis, 


C.  A.  Clark, 
E.  S.  Farrand, 
U.  S.  (;.  Jones, 
E.  J.  Lindsay, 
R.  P.  Miller, 
R.  C.  Yan  Eman. 


PRESBYTERIAN,  SOUTH. 


UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  OF  YIRGINIA, 
HAMPDEN-SYDNEY,  YA. 


}.  R.  Graham. 


J.   H.  Lacey,  Jr., 
L  Yance. 


L  W.  Siler, 


PROTESTANT   EPISCOPAL. 

lilSIiOP  PAYNE  DIVINITY  AND  INDUSTRIAL  SCHOOL, 
PETERSBURG,  YA. 

B.  B.  Tylor. 


THEOLOGICAL    SEMINARY    OF    YIRGINIA,    THEOLOGICAL 
SEMINARY  P.  O.,  FAIRFAX  CO.,  YA. 


J.  C.  Ambler, 
R.  U.  Brooking, 
F.  P.  Clark, 


S.  E.  Arthur, 
\V.  H.  Burkhart, 
H.  C.  Collins, 


W.  W.  Brander, 
R.  S.  Carter, 

J.   C.   CORMICK, 


>^ 


I  if)  INTER-SEMINARY    MISSIONARY    AI.l.IANCK. 

H.    DaVIDSiiN,  ],.    W.    DOUGETT,  r.    II.    EwiNd, 

J.  T.   Foster,  Ciias.  Gauss,  |.    i;.  twKiu.E, 

H.  c;keen,  C.  S.  Harrison,  I-:.  T.  IIei.fenstmx, 

E.  S.   IIiNCKs,  r.  A.   Hotaeinc,  -M.   E.  Tnnis, 

K.  C.  Jet'I',  J.  A.  Johnson,  R,  Keel, 

L.  L.  KiNsoEViNc;,  W.  C.   LuDwir,,  F.  E.  McManes, 

J.  S.  iNlEREDiTir,  J.  W.  Morris,  J.  W.  Morton, 

J.   JM.  Panet'ii,  J.   L.   Patton,  F.  A.  Payne, 

J.   Rinour,  K.  D.  Rodrick,  R.  Rogecs, 

C.  F.  SMnii,  G.   P.  SoMERvn.EE,  S.  O.  Southaee, 

J.  R.  Taylor,  J.  P.  Tyler,  C.  E.  Woodson. 

REFORMED    DUTCH. 

REFORMED  DUTCH  SEMINARY  OF  AMERICA, 
NEW  BRUNSWICK,  N.  J. 

J.  M.  Allen,  W.  II.  Boocock,  W.  H.  S.  Demarest, 

\V.  J-  Duyker,  II.  Garabed,  11.  W.  Rammers, 

S.  M.  Zwemer. 

REFORMED   GERMAN. 

REFORMED    TIIEOLOGICAE    SEMINARY    OF    THE    UNITED 
STATES,   EANCASTER,  PA. 

O.  E.  Accola,  W.  F.  Aemann,  J.  R.  Brown, 

R.  E.  BuTz,  S.  L.  Kreks,  F.  E.  Laufer, 

J.    (i.    LiZlJERGER,  J.    II.    MiCKLEV,  J.    ¥.    MOYER, 

A.  Noll,  J.   L.  Rorsn,  J.  B.  Stonesifer, 

S.  i'..  Stoyer,  (i.  1'..  Walrert. 

UNITED   BRETHREN. 

UNION   BIBEICAE  SEMINARY,  DAYTON,  O. 

L.    O.    I'.URTNER. 

UNITED   PRESBYTERIAN. 

ALEEGHENY    THEOLOGICAL   SEMIN'VRY,  ALLEGHENY,  PA. 

II.  IL  Bell.  E.  E.  Douglass,  G.  E.  II awes, 

L  M.  Heryey,  T.  E.  Holliday,  J.  B.  Jamison, 

J.   M.  Jamison,  W.  W.  Logan,  R.  J.  Loye, 

S.  D.  MoNTiioMERV,  W.  II.  Patterson,  J.  M.  Ross, 

W.  R.  Wilson. 


ROLL   OK    DELEGATES.  11/ 

XKMA    TllEOI.OcnCAI,  SEMTNAR\',    XKNIA,  ( >. 

I  J.     1".    JAMIKSON. 

ASSOCIATE   MEMBERS. 

PKNMNCTON  SEMINARY,  METHODIST  El'lSl  OTA  1 ., 
rENXINGTON,   X.  J. 

J.  K.   Lattomis. 

I'RIXCETOX  COLLEGE,  PRTXCETOX,  N.  J. 
R.  C'artku,  Fred.  Neher,  E.  W.  Rand. 

RAXDOLPH-MACOX  COLLE(;E,  ASHLAND,   VA. 
F.   W.  Crowder,  W.  M.  Waters. 

UXIVERSITV  OF  PEXNSVLVAXIA,   PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 
A.  L.  Magieton,  J.  C.  Wagner. 

UXIVERSITV  OF  VIR(;iNIA,  UNIVERSITV  OF   VIRGINIA,  VA. 
J.  G.  Scott. 


Instiuuions  Represeiiteil - 39 

Delegates  in  Attemlance - — -   237 


J.   L.   KILP.ON,  Hartford. 

].   II.    LACEV,    Jr.,   Union  of  Virginia. 

Exroei.ment  Committee. 


IlS  IXTFR-SEMINARY    MISSlhNARY    ALLIANCE. 


INDEX. 


Page 
Committees  1880-S 3-6 

Journal  of  Proceedings "-13 

Address  of  Welcome,  Dr.  Joseph  Packard 14-16 

Address  of  Welcome,  Dr.  J.  E.  Cirammer 17-22 

The  Relation  of  the  Congo  Free  State  to  African  Missions, 

Thomas  J.  Villers — 23-34 

The  Work  of  the  Church  as  Defined  in  the  Commission, 

Dr.  F.  M.  Ellis 35-44 

Mission  Work  among  the  Indians,   E.  R.  Chadwick .  _ .  -  45-52 

Foreign  Missions,  Dr.  A.  T.  Pierson SS-S*^* 

What  Headway  is  Christianity  Making  Against  Mohammedanism,  _ 

Benson  Sewall _ 57-66 

Work  of  the  Home  Ministry  for  Foreign  Missions,    R.  I.  Fleming-  67-73 

The  Urgency  of  the  Call,  David  A.  Murray 74-So 

A  Godly  Jealousy,  Dr.  William  E.  Grifhs 81-SS 

The  Best  Mode  of  Eyangelizing  the  Negro,  Rev.  R.  A.  Goodwin..  89-96 
Miscellaneous  Addresses:  Messrs  Chamberlain,  Basmajain,  Garabed, 

Eakin,  Wilder,  Bulbulian,  Wallace,  and  Nelson yT-ioo 

Report  of  Executive  Committee loi 

Report  of  Correspondence  and  Publication  Committee —  102 

Report  of  Committee  on  Resolutions 103,  104 

Treasurer's  Report 105 

Historical  Note _ .  106 

Constitution  and  By-Laws 107-1 10 

Roll  of  Seminaries  and  Statistics iir 

Roll  of  Delegates 11 2-1 17 


4B21  TB,   4 


-9-95 


321B0      rS 


